[Serious] Male depression

[Foxer]

I read this from a website


Symptoms of male depression
In both men and women, common signs and symptoms of depression include feeling down in the dumps, sleeping poorly, and feeling sad, guilty and worthless. Men with depression, however, have bouts of crying less often than do women with depression.

Other symptoms of male depression often include:

Anger and frustration
Violent behavior
Losing weight without trying
Taking risks, such as reckless driving and extramarital sex
Loss of concentration
Isolation from family and friends
Avoiding pleasurable activities
Fatigue
Loss of interest in work, hobbies and sex
Alcohol or substance abuse
Misuse of prescription medication
Thoughts of suicide
In addition, men often aren't aware that physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain, can be symptoms of male depression.


I see a lot of these symptoms in myself but the biggest thing stopping me from seeing a GP is my health insurance.

If I'm diagnosed as having depression - or even HAD depression, my health fund will go burko (crazy) and will either cancel my policy, raise my premiums or exclude me from certain cover (eg suicide).

The same is true for women - if my health fund suspected my partner had post-natal depression, it seems the sky falls in. After seeing the questions and forms that need to be filled when applying, we both quickly came to the conclusion that depression is best concealled from insurance companies - hence doctors (due to my own duty to disclose if I'm diagnosed).

Discuss.

[oceanebelle]

My indicators of depression include:

Physical:
1) Left Eye Twitching
2) Digestive Disorders (Diahrrea with no cause)
3) Back Pain
4) Left Shoulder-Arm-Hand Pain
5) Headache

Others, but not so much
1) Crying
2) Sighing
3) Binge Eating (By the time I snap out of it, It's too late)
4) Or the opposite, no inclination to eat at all.
5) Bedridden
6) Very Moody Temper
7) Reclusive
8) Distant
9) Distracted

[Foxer]

That's not depression.

That's PMS - it will pass in a few days.

[oceanebelle]

That's not depression.

That's PMS - it will pass in a few days.

Aha, good good. at least I don't have depression then. :P z

[Foxer]

I hear chocolate works.

It also helps to give verbal abuse at random and unsuspecting males - preferably those with depression.

[oceanebelle]

I hear chocolate works.

It also helps to give verbal abuse at random and unsuspecting males - preferably those with depression.

I don't abuse anything unless it is rice or halo2 (by that I don't mean the game).

[wossname]

I don't abuse anything unless it is rice or halo2 (by that I don't mean the game).

You've been watching that rude television program on channel 5 haven't you!

[kregg]

It seems you have wossy, since you know it so well!

[sevenhalo]

Wow, talk about a buffet of symptoms. What hypochondriac couldn't find something they like in there?

Drug companies are just that - companies. Because we instill a level of trust in our doctors doesn't mean they don't get some kick-backs from drug manufacturers. Picture the style of drug commercials for any other product...

"Do you feel like you're a loser? Are you aware of the people laughing at you behind your back? Don't you wish you had some way to gain the respect of your peers? Were you even aware you didn't have their respect? What about your wife, could she really love someone like you?

Not if you don't shave with gillete mach 12 for sensitive skin. A recent university study shows that shaving with gillete mach 12 increased the amount of respect you gain by 15%, and in most cases, keeps the mrs. loyal. You will feel more confident and have an eagerness to face each day. So start using gillete mach 12 and start living... Happily.

Gillete mach 12 should not be used if you are uncomfortable with sharp objects, have no facial hair or have flipper hands. Using gillete mach 12 with any other skin product, while not proven, could result in death or a severe lip impediment. If you are currently using another product, consult one of our paid lobbyists at your local grocer before starting gillete mach 12.

If you start to swell, feel flush, have stomach problems, induce vomiting or any other violent reaction to gillete mach 12 - consult our paid lobbyist. (We wouldn't want the FDA to get involved before our paid lobbyist explains to you what is actually causing the symptoms).

Results vary."

It's assanine. We all get depressed and we all get stressed but we all get happy too. When someone gives you medication for depression, they aren't treating you - they're giving you an addiction.

Yes, medicine helps. Much like smoking or alcohol helps others. The difference is - they have a product they want you to take every day because the more you consume, the more you buy. And since it's a "drug" and you've been "diagnosed" with this "disease," they get to bill your insurance (tons more money).

If they gave you a pill and said "hey, whenever you feel down - take one of these." the insurance industry would fight that it's a cosmetic or fleeting problem that they shouldn't have to cover (like a headache or cough. You can't submit advil and tylenol to your insurance company).

So in turn, drug companies pay doctors, doctors diagnose you with something everyone goes through (but has a slant on it thanks to the drug companies commercials), you get a prescription, the prescription says take 1 a day always, you get addicted to the drug and the doctor is more than happy to prescribe more to you.

[Foxer]

My OP came from an independent website. If they are affiliated with any doctor or drug company, it's not advertised or obvious.

I do get your point but.

I also believe there are some medical bodies/individuals that are genuine about looking after you. I've identified 6 or 7 symptoms in myself - I'd go talk to a health professional (so I don't self-diagnose) if I wasn't afraid of being victimised by my health company.

[hairball]

How about starting your self-diagnosis with what made you depress if you haven't done that yet.
Knowing what is the cause and also doing something good about it might be helpful.

Just my $0.02 worth.

[nemaroller]

Maybe... just maybe... you're bored. And you've been bored a very long time, and now you're just so depressingly bored.

In such situations, maybe you just need to dig some holes and plant some trees. You get some physical exercise, the satisfaction of having accomplished something real (unless of course the tree dies the following year), and you become so physically exhausted that you just sleep so well when you hit the bed.

You may find you weren't really depressed, you just had too much free time on your hands.

[oceanebelle]

You may find you weren't really depressed, you just had too much free time on your hands.

Yeah now, time passes by so quickly, very quickly. even 3 months is short for me.

[oceanebelle]

this is what I meant by halo2

[BodwadUK]

Your better dealing with depression yourself. Drugs merely hide the problem and all doctors can do is give you drugs.

You need to find out what it is that is getting you so down and try to find a solution. Like someone has already said excersize is really good for making you feel better and sleep properly. Also check your diet, a lack or vitamins and minerals can make you lathargic and bring you down. All problems related to stress can only be solved by the person who suffers from it

[System_Error]

Wow, talk about a buffet of symptoms. What hypochondriac couldn't find something they like in there?

Drug companies are just that - companies. Because we instill a level of trust in our doctors doesn't mean they don't get some kick-backs from drug manufacturers. Picture the style of drug commercials for any other product...


It's assanine. We all get depressed and we all get stressed but we all get happy too. When someone gives you medication for depression, they aren't treating you - they're giving you an addiction.

Yes, medicine helps. Much like smoking or alcohol helps others. The difference is - they have a product they want you to take every day because the more you consume, the more you buy. And since it's a "drug" and you've been "diagnosed" with this "disease," they get to bill your insurance (tons more money).

If they gave you a pill and said "hey, whenever you feel down - take one of these." the insurance industry would fight that it's a cosmetic or fleeting problem that they shouldn't have to cover (like a headache or cough. You can't submit advil and tylenol to your insurance company).

So in turn, drug companies pay doctors, doctors diagnose you with something everyone goes through (but has a slant on it thanks to the drug companies commercials), you get a prescription, the prescription says take 1 a day always, you get addicted to the drug and the doctor is more than happy to prescribe more to you.

Well said. Depression is an emotion, not a disease.

[bgmacaw]

Well said. Depression is an emotion, not a disease.

Sorry, but clinical depression is a disease caused by chronic chemical imbalances due to genetic predisposition, other illnesses or injury. It can, in most cases, be controlled by proper medication. Not seeking proper treatment for it is as dangerous as a diabetic not seeking treatment for their condition.

This is different situational depression which is emotional and temporary. Clinical depression typically will not have any apparent emotional event or reason connected to it. It just is.

[sevenhalo]

Yes bg, we have all seen the commercials and most of us have probably talked to someone who takes the medication and feels the need to justify it.

Right now, I'm feeling a little nauseas and hungry. Chances are this will persist for another hour until lunch time. Tomorrow at this time, I will probably be nauseas and hungry again. It's just how my body is, sometimes it's hungry - sometimes it's not. Does that mean I need to get on appetite suppresants? No, it makes me appreciate food that much more.

Same thing works with depression. Sometimes you're feeling really upset and other times you aren't. And most times - the best moments in your life are the ones where things turn around.

You can't blame this on a "chemical imbalance" because we don't even have the brain fully mapped out. If I opened the hood of your car and noticed a tube didn't have fluid in it and proceeded to fill it full of milk, you'd think I was insane.

[bgmacaw]

Same thing works with depression. Sometimes you're feeling really upset and other times you aren't. And most times - the best moments in your life are the ones where things turn around.

Once again you're talking about emotional or seasonal depression, not chronic depression. Try dealing with a person who has a major depressive disorder or who is bipolar and you'll figure out that it isn't just a normal emotion and requires serious medical attention.

[sevenhalo]

Once again you're talking about emotional or seasonal depression, not chronic depression. Try dealing with a person who has a major depressive disorder or who is bipolar and you'll figure out that it isn't just a normal emotion and requires serious medical attention.

Adding an adjective doesn't change my opinion. Therapy works for these people. Adding drugs into the mix complicates the problem.

[bgmacaw]

Adding an adjective doesn't change my opinion. Therapy works for these people. Adding drugs into the mix complicates the problem.

And faith healing will cure cancer.

[Andrew G]

Drugs might not be the best thing for depression, but for some people its the only the thing will work, so you can't just say drugs are bad in treating depression and everyone should just go for other therapies.

You can't blame this on a "chemical imbalance" because we don't even have the brain fully mapped out. If I opened the hood of your car and noticed a tube didn't have fluid in it and proceeded to fill it full of milk, you'd think I was insane.

The brain isn't fully mapped out, but we still know a lot more than your making out we do. And many diseases are caused from a chemical imbalance. Take for example parkinson's disease, we know why it occurs and how to treat it, we're not just adding random drugs in the hope something will work.

I'm not saying depression is caused purely by a chemical imbalance and we should all go for medication, but you can't just rely on one method of treatment to treat everyone.

[sevenhalo]

Not anymore than medication can cure depression.

[Andrew G]

Everyone is opposed to medication aren't they... fine I'd like to see you all live past the age of 60 without taking a single piece of medication.

[TheBigB]

Self diagnosis is a good idea, but you really have to find a psychologist when you encounter a roadblock.
With roadblock I mean the cure that you found for your depression, which doesn't look feasible at all. It's what a lot of people face and don't talk about. You should at least find someone to talk with. Sounds like something a doctor would prescribe, but it really is helpful.

Also it's a matter of time and sometimes it's time people don't have.
All problems die eventually...

[bgmacaw]

Everyone is opposed to medication aren't they...

They've been listening to Tom Cruise.

[Schatzy]

Everyone is opposed to medication aren't they... fine I'd like to see you all live past the age of 60 without taking a single piece of medication.

I'm not opposed to medication (especially the good stuff ), but what says I want to live past 60 .

[grilkip]

So many experts here...

[System_Error]

This is different situational depression which is emotional and temporary.

I'd say about everyone hooked to antidepressants got the "medication" because of this temporary depression you speak of.

Try dealing with a person who has a major depressive disorder or who is bipolar and you'll figure out that it isn't just a normal emotion and requires serious medical attention.

Bipolar is a little different than what I've been talking about. But anyway you look at it, depression, major depression, bipolar and whatever else you want to call it is diagnosed by a doctor's questionnaire. That's hard to imagine.

[System_Error]

So many experts here...

I'm an expert in every field. It's not my fault.

[Andrew G]

I'm not opposed to medication (especially the good stuff ), but what says I want to live past 60 .

Well technically some people won't even last over 20 years if they get an infection or something a bit serious and your body can't fight it alone.

[sevenhalo]

Everyone is opposed to medication aren't they... fine I'd like to see you all live past the age of 60 without taking a single piece of medication.

Yes, thank you for clarifying what I meant. Although I might not have said it, I am opposed to all modern medicine and healthcare.

[Andrew G]

I hate it when people say medication doesn't work, if you believe it doesn't work, then what can anyone say to change your mind?

[sevenhalo]

I see you completely missed the sarcasm in my last post.

[Andrew G]

No, I did see it. But I can still see you think medication for things like depression isn't needed, because supposedly they don't work.

[grilkip]

It just wasn't that funny.

[sevenhalo]

No, I did see it. But I can still see you think medication for things like depression isn't needed, because supposedly they don't work.

Would you like to reread my post again about my feeling towards using medicine to treat depression, or should I start quoting myself to show you how badly you're misconstruing my position?

[bgmacaw]

Would you like to reread my post again about my feeling towards using medicine to treat depression, or should I start quoting myself to show you how badly you're misconstruing my position?

I think he nailed down your position exactly and that position is that:

A) The drug companies and doctors conspire to trick people into thinking they're sick

B) Then they prescribe drugs that cause more harm than good so that they can make more money

Did I get this wrong or are you ready to jump the couch now Mr. Cruise?

[Andrew G]

Adding an adjective doesn't change my opinion. Therapy works for these people. Adding drugs into the mix complicates the problem.

Not anymore than medication can cure depression.

So...adding drugs complicates the problem, therapy works for these people (hence treating the problem?), depression can't be cured

Unless I missed something else, which seems likely since its 5am here and i need sleep...

[timeshifter]

Depression is a hard one to gauge. Is it a natural imbalance in the brain? Is it caused by emotional instability? What can you do to fix it? Personally, I've been diagnosed with depression, bordering on the severe level, and I know hands down that medication won't fix it. It's not a brain problem. I know my depression is emotional in nature, and it will be resolved when the time is right. I'm not a fan of medications, partly because of the lack of true knowledge as to the cause, and partly because it prevents the body from strengthening against what may be attacking it.