Male depression: 4 things to know

Women are twice as likely to be depressed. Ladies can sink into melancholy, shed tears. And that is found to be excusable as many consider them to be the weaker sex. Something that cannot be said about men who must always be strong, self-contained and do not give vent to feelings. These stereotypes are gradually fading out of modern life.

Most men keep all their feelings to themselves but this does not mean that they do not have them. And men sometimes do not understand that depression may be already there eating them inside, and continue to ignore the red flags. As long as the problem doesn't get too messy.

Here are the depression symptoms to look out for:

• Pessimistic mood
• The feeling that your life is incomplete
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
• Apathy
• Anxiety
• Feeling of oppression
• Irritability, aggression
• Lack of sexual desire
• No erection in the morning
• Loss of strength
• Unwillingness to communicate
• Headaches, back pain and other somatic manifestations
• Weight fluctuations
• Alcohol, cigarettes and gambling cravings

If you notice any of these signals, you need to urgently take actions that will prevent these conditions from getting worse.

Here's what every man who has come face to face with depression should know:

1. Not everyone is ready to understand and accept the problem

Men often deny or hide the presence of depression. That is why men are three times more likely to have drinking problems. This is how they try to numb the pain, rather than get to the root of the problem.

2. Look for ways to solve the problem

Seek help from a psychotherapist. There's no shame in doing that. Tell your doctor everything with no concealment. You may first be prescribed a course of antidepressants. That is normal. They will relieve severe symptoms so that the doctor can find the causes of depression and help you get over it.

3. Show emotion

Contrary to popular belief, boys can cry sometimes, even if they are already adults. You can and should give free rein to your emotions. Otherwise, it is impossible to avoid neurosis. American biochemist William Frey discovered that tears that were caused by grief or emotional shock, remove toxins and stress hormones from the body. And Israeli psychologist Oren Hassen believes that tears are an evolutionary mechanism that helps to establish relationships with other people.

4. Even small steps bring you closer to your goal

Every step in the fight against depression is a personal victory for you. Give yourself credit for that. In a depressed state, the future seems bleak and meaningless. But do not give up.

Psychologists believe that you can fight the first signs of depression on your own:

• Think positive: look for positive things in everything
• Be physically active: try something new. Things you've never done before (Boxing, hammock yoga)
• Start practicing meditation: a University of Wisconsin-Madison study has confirmed that meditation reduces the density of the brain's gray matter, which is responsible for anxiety and stress
• Gift and give: people who do something nice for others feel happier. That is scientifically proven
• Take care of yourself: eat healthy, do what you love, and enjoy every moment
• Train your brain: read books, do logic exercises, solve puzzles

Strong men do not run away from the problem but look for solutions. Recognizing depression is the first step toward preventing it. And absolutely everyone is capable of doing that.