Help Understand Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Male depression - what exactly does it mean, and how to males experience it differently from women? It comes as a surprise to many people to learn that men and women actually experience it very differently, often feeling very different symptoms and displaying different behaviours. It can be particularly difficult for men as the symptoms of male depression are often quite far from the common conceptions people have developed about how clinical depression looks. The words used can be very confusing, because although the word depression suggests a consistently low and 'sad' mood, it can often manifest in males in the form of agitation and anger.

Depression in men can be particularly hard to diagnose for these reasons, and very often men don't even recognise that they may be suffering from it. This is why it's so important to ensure a wider understanding of how the disorder manifests in men, how it can be controlled and how to find a way through it.

However, although the disorder can show different symptoms in men it's important to keep in mind that what most people think of as 'typical' symptoms are generally still present and dominant in most cases - for example, a loss of enthusiasm for formerly enjoyable activities, loss of interest in sex and consistently 'down' moods, along with recurring thoughts of death and suicide.

So how can you help someone you know who may be suffering from depression - or what can you do if you're a man and you think you might have depression? It's important that if a friend of family member may be suffering, you approach the situation cautiously, as some men may go into denial over having a problem. This denial can sometimes take on an angry form and cause the person to withdraw from you. It's important to broach the subject carefully and be prepared to explain how their behaviour lines up with common symptoms if necessary.

If you believe you might be suffering from depression you should talk to your doctor about potential treatment paths for you, which typically involve some therapy work and often medication (although that's not always the case). In the meantime, it's a good idea to try to avoid stressful situations if possible - while there are often many underlying factors that cause it, being put under pressure can trigger an episode.

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Richard Atchison, raised in New Zealand, graduated in 2002 from Auckland High School. A Presidential Scholar, he entered Auckland State University that autumn as an English major, with an emphasis in Literary Studies. Presently, an article contributor for various sites. bipolar disorder symptoms