Depression in Men: Symptoms, Causes, and Support
Many people may wonder why men don’t talk about depression. The answer to this question might come down to stigma and the misconceptions that exist around male mental health.
Depression is an emotional and physical condition that affects millions of people around the world. However, just because depression impacts people’s emotions doesn’t mean that it is a sign of weakness or some sort of failure. Anyone can experience depression, regardless of gender, age, race, economic status, cultural background or education.
Mental health should not be considered any less important than physical. For instance, if you have diabetes, you would understand that not seeking treatment would lead to severe health consequences. The same attitude should apply to depression: if left untreated, depression can have significant effects on physical and mental health. Sadly, in recent years, men in the US took their own lives nearly four times as often as women – highlighting how depression in men is a public health concern.
If you are experiencing a persistent change in mood that affects your thoughts, behaviors, relationships, or well-being, this may indicate depression. If this is the case, know that advice and support are available to you. Seeking help is a sign of strength and it can ensure the best outcomes for you or someone you care about. This article can also help by covering:
- How mental health stigma can affect depression in men
- The signs of depression in men
- How men experience depression differently than women
- Depression in fathers
- Depression in working men
- How depression can affect middle-aged men
- Elderly men and depression
- Best therapy options for male depression
- How to help a man with depression
Men and Mental Health Stigma: Overcoming Depression and Seeking Help
In 2019 it was found that, during our lifetimes, one in eight of us will deal with a mental health condition, affecting how we think, feel, and behave.2 This translates as 970 million people around the world experiencing challenges to their mental well-being.
Despite these startling statistics, there continues to be many myths around male mental health, with narratives implying it’s not “manly” to talk about emotions. This stigma means that men may value self-reliance and control, for fear of appearing “weak.” However, acting in such ways means that men deny themselves support. For example, in the workplace, men may feel reluctant to speak to employers about their mental well-being for fear that it would negatively impact their careers.
As is clear, the stigma around male mental health is a major barrier for men in accessing mental health support. So much so, that depression is being called the “silent killer.”
The following are the different types of stigma that lead to barriers to men accessing support:
Social (public) stigma- Personal (self) stigma
- Professional stigma
- Cultural stigma
Recognizing mental health symptoms can be challenging, but understanding the signs of depression can highlight when professional support is needed.
Depression in Men Signs
Everyone is unique, with different life experiences. For this reason, the signs of depression in men can vary from person to person. However, the following are the physical and psychological symptoms of depression in men.
Physical Symptoms of Depression in Men:
- Lower energy levels
- Decrease or increase in appetite
- Weight loss or gain
- Sleep issues
- Unexplainable pains, such as stomach pains or headaches
- Moving or speaking more slowly
- Loss of energy or fatigue
- Loss of libido/erectile dysfunction
- Disturbed sleep, such as being unable to fall or stay asleep
Emotional Symptoms of Depression in Men:
- Persistent low mood or sadness
- Feelings of worthless
- Withdrawal or isolation
- Difficulty making decisions
- Impaired concentration
- Feeling guilty
- Feelings of “numbness”
- Irritability, including being less tolerant of others
- A decline in motivation and or interest in life
- Anger or aggression
- Anxiety or intense worry
- Thoughts of harming yourself or of death
These symptoms of depression are severe enough to interrupt the ability to function at work, home, and in relationships.
For some people, depression expresses itself as an unexplainable physical pain in the body. For others it can feel like a constant mental fog, making it difficult to concentrate and hold down a job. Although the symptoms of depression can look different for everyone, what is consistent is that they can persist for weeks, months, or even years.
If you’re concerned that you or someone you know is stuck in a cycle of low mood and are no longer enjoying activities, this is a red flag and could be a sign of depression. However, with the right treatment, you can start to feel better and overcome depression’s effects on your life.
How Men Experience Depression Differently
While many of the symptoms of depression are experienced by both men and women, social norms have set up our expectations for how different genders should cope with depression. For instance:
It’s more socially acceptable for women to be vulnerable: Women are often taught since childhood that it’s okay to cry when upset. Therefore, they may be more likely to turn to others for help because there is less overt shame around women seeking help if they are feeling depressed.
Men are expected to be assertive: In comparison to women, men may have been conditioned to show anger as a way of coping with low mood. Many cultures deem crying or expressing sadness as “unmanly,” instead expecting men to be assertive and use self-reliance as a means to cope with their emotions.
Men may be more likely to be misdiagnosed: Women are known to have higher levels of “internalizing” mental health conditions (such as anxiety and depression) and men “externalizing” issues (such as violence and anger). Therefore, it’s possible that many men’s symptoms may have been overlooked due to practitioner bias around gender differences.4
Additionally, depression can affect men in different ways depending on their stage of life, circumstances, and roles – we discuss these impacts in more detail below.
Depression in Fathers
Between 5–10% of fathers experience perinatal depression and 5–15% experience perinatal anxiety.1,4-6 Plus, women who have given birth come into frequent contact with support systems, such as pediatric services, in which their mental health is considered and protected. However, men, in general, do not get access to this support. Therefore, they may also be struggling with adjustment issues and low mood – but with less awareness and assistance.
Not everyone will experience depression in response to the life event of becoming a parent. Different people have various coping abilities and resilience levels, depending on their support systems and previous experiences. However, if you or someone you know is finding changes to your mental well-being in response to becoming a parent challenging, it may be important to seek help.7
Depression in Working Men
These issues can lead to a breakdown in communication between both employers and staff in the workplace, resulting in increased conflict, lower productivity, and increased stress levels. Each of these concerns can contribute to mood issues such as depression, as well as lower support as men may feel like they have no one to talk to when they’re struggling.
Nearly half of all long-term sickness is caused by mental health problems, and 91 million workdays are believed to be lost to mental health problems each year.8 It’s, therefore, clear that mental health issues in the workplace, such as depression, are a public health concern. Thus, workplaces should endeavor to support men’s mental health to improve a culture of well-being and productivity.
Depression in Middle-Aged Men
Mid-life is often a time of change, for both personal and professional reasons. For instance, divorce and job loss are not uncommon in men in this age bracket. Furthermore, not achieving personal goals or dreams by middle age may predict poor mental health. For instance, a study showed that men with a college-level degree may be less than twice as likely to make an attempt on their own life than those with a high school diploma.9
If you’re concerned about the effects of middle age on your own mental health or that of someone else, mental health professionals are well-placed to understand and provide you with the support that you need.
Depression in Elderly Men
As we age, chronic health problems mean that elderly people often struggle with multiple conditions. They may receive diagnoses which indicate reduced functioning or risks to life, and at the same time, lose mobility and the ability to operate independently. Each of these issues can result in psychological distress and lead to depression in elderly men.
On top of these issues, mental health issues such as loneliness and isolation often become increasingly common. For instance, many elderly men may face increasing adversity as they get older, such as the loss of a loved one.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2030, one in six people are currently 60 years old and above. This equates to 1.4 billion people globally. Between 2020 and 2050, the number of people aged 80 years or older is expected to reach 426 million. Therefore, without appropriate support, a large percentage of the population may struggle to cope with their mental health.
It’s never too late to seek mental health support. In fact, doing so could protect the well-being and life satisfaction of many people who deserve to live the later years of their life happily. If you’re concerned about your own mental health or that of someone else, reaching out for support may be the best decision you could make.
Menopause and Depression
This increased risk of depression often starts during perimenopause, which is the stage when estrogen and progesterone levels drop, leading to menopause in women.6 These significant fluctuations in hormone levels can trigger intense mood swings, which can, in turn, increase women’s risk of experiencing depression during menopause. Moreover, women who have gone through periods of depression previously in life may be at increased risk of developing depression during menopause.9
Best Therapy for Male Depression
When it comes to male depression, there is no single treatment model designed to fit the needs of every person. If you’re worried about the signs of depression in men in yourself or someone else, the first step towards better mental health is to get a full mental health assessment of your needs and concerns.
At Mission Connection, we offer a flexible program to fit in with your schedule. Depending on your needs, our team of trained professionals can talk you through support options for making lifestyle changes and building healthy coping strategies, as well as the following therapies.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT can help men with depression understand how their thoughts affect their actions, and vice versa. We can help you pinpoint inaccurate thoughts, challenge these, and learn healthy ways to cope with negative emotions and depression.
Trauma-Focused Therapy
Often, our previous experiences, such as trauma, can lead to brain changes and depression. Trauma focused therapy can help you process such experiences in a safe, supportive environment, reducing depression’s impact.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT was adapted from CBT for people with particularly intense emotions, such as those involved in depression. It can help you address emotional challenges and promote more positive moods and problem-solving skills.
Each of these therapies, as well as the range of other treatment options we offer, can be delivered on a one-to-one basis or via our virtual telehealth services. Mission Connection also offers group therapy that promotes healing through the power of connecting with others.
How to Help a Man With Depression: 3 Top Tips
If someone is depressed, their ways of thinking could be distorted and inaccurate, potentially leading to low self-worth and feelings of hopelessness. These thoughts and feelings may lead to challenges in coping either at work, home, or across both settings.
If you’re concerned about the mental health of a loved one, you can support them by:
- Listening to their concerns without judgment
- Gently encouraging them to have self-compassion so that they can start to see that depression is an illness that can be treated with the right support
- Not waiting for them to reach out to you. Often it takes the compassion of friends or family to notice someone’s distress and provide them with a safe place to open up about what they’re going through.
When to Seek Support for Depression
Asking for help may not feel natural or easy for many men. However, without help depression can get worse.
If you identify the signs of depression in men in yourself or someone else, it’s important not to wait to seek help. With the right treatment package, such as therapy and medication, depression can be treated, giving you or a loved one the best chance at reducing its symptoms and regaining control over your life.
If you’re worried about someone’s immediate physical health, it’s important to immediately contact 911 or a suicide hotline for help. And remember, Mission Connection is available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns about depression in men. Contact us to find out more about how we can help.
References
- WISQARS. (n.d.). Leading causes of death. https://wisqars.cdc.gov/lcd/?o=LCD&y1=2022&y2=2022&ct=12&cc=ALL&g=00&s=0&r=0&ry=3&e=0&ar=lcd1age&at=groups&ag=lcd1age&a1=0&a2=199+https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mensmindsmatter.org%2Fmental-health-in-workspace%2F
- World Health Organization. (2022, June 8). Mental disorders. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
- WISQARS. (n.d.). Injuries and violence are leading causes of death. https://wisqars.cdc.gov/animated-leading-causes/
- Smith, D. T., Mouzon, D. M., & Elliott, M. (2016). Reviewing the Assumptions about Men’s Mental Health: An Exploration of the Gender Binary. American Journal of Men’s Health, 12(1), 78–89. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988316630953
- Office for National Statistics. (n.d.). Mental health. Retrieved February 27, 2025, from https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/mentalhealth
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. (n.d.). Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx). Retrieved May 14, 2022, from https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
- Short, S., Davis, P. E., & Ndzi, E. G. (2023). An exploration of masculinity, social support and depression in new and experienced fathers. Midwifery, 123, 103715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2023.103715
- Men’s Minds Matter. (2024, August 12). Male Depression at work. https://www.mensmindsmatter.org/mental-health-in-workspace/
- Case, A., & Deaton, A. (2015). Rising morbidity and mortality in midlife among white non-Hispanic Americans in the 21st century. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(49), 15078–15083. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1518393112
