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Men's Mental Health: Moving Past the Stigma
Laurence Lippsett
Medically reviewed on 11/13/2020 by
Dr. Kimberly Cress
Texas Regional Medical Director
You might have heard that old gag line: "Real men don't eat quiche." It's the title of a book that pokes fun at age-old stereotypes of men. Tough guys are supposed to man the grill and scarf down no-nonsense hamburgers instead. Here's another similar, stubbornly held stereotype, but it's no laughing matter: Too many men think only women experience depression. For them, men's mental health is a taboo topic. They avoid treatment for mental illness in men—with dire impacts on their health that can shorten their life expectancy. More women than men are treated for depression, but the statistics are skewed because men are less comfortable with seeking treatment. Additionally, men often don't recognize the symptoms of depression, or they may deny or ignore their symptoms. Fortunately, as stigma fades, men have a range of support resources and treatment options available to them.
Symptoms of Depression in Men
Our culture puts a lot of pressure on men to always be strong, reliable, and competent. Depression makes it hard to meet these lofty expectations. Sometimes, just the stress of failing to always live up to unrealistic goals can erode self-esteem. Men of all ages get depression—as many as one-third of men in the United States may experience depression at some time in their lives. But male adolescents—on the cusp of manhood and wrestling with those expectations—face particular risks. So do older men who retire and may suddenly feel they have lost their routines, prestige, and purpose in life. Depression affects your ability to sleep and eat well; makes you tired; impairs your ability to focus; and causes physical ailments such as backaches, headaches, stomach troubles, chest tightness, and sexual problems. A lot of men don't realize that the root of these symptoms is depression. The symptoms of depression in men and women can be different. Thinking they need to be the strong and silent types, men may bottle up their feelings. Not wanting to appear weak in the eyes of their family, friends, and colleagues, they may deny their symptoms or try to cover them up—often by doubling down on macho behavior. For example, they may dive more compulsively into their work. Or they may get angry easily and sometimes become abusive. They may also drink too much, use drugs, or engage in risky behaviors like driving recklessly or cheating on their spouses. Our culture often defines these behaviors as just "boys being boys," but they can be real signs of depression. And they can cause profound harm to men's families, friends, and co-workers—and to themselves.
Seeking Treatment for Depression
If you've experienced some of the above symptoms, know that depression isn't a sign of weakness. It's a medical condition that needs to be treated. If you had a heart condition, you wouldn't ignore it; you would go to the doctor. Depression should be viewed the same way. Though you may feel uncomfortable asking for help at first, remember that seeking treatment for depression is a sign of strength. It takes courage to confront your illness and do what needs to be done to get better. Talk and behavioral therapies and medications have proved effective for mental illness in men. If these don't provide relief, another option is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This non-invasive, non-drug treatment uses magnetic pulses to improve brain signaling that regulates mood. If frontline depression treatments haven't had an effect, TMS may be right for you. Men's mental health shouldn't be ignored. If you're experiencing depression, don't be afraid to ask for help.
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You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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