Experts:
Men May Not Recognize The Symptoms Of Depression
May
Is National Mental Health Month
New
research suggests that men are less likely to seek treatment for depression,
and that men die by suicide at four times the rate of women.
The
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one of
the National Institutes of Health (NIH), recently announced
the launch of the first national campaign to raise awareness that depression
is a major public health problem affecting about 6 million men each
year.
The
NIMH campaign is called “Real Men. Real Depression.”
The efforts by these experts comes at the beginning of Mental
Health Month, a national recognition of mental health issues
encountered by millions of Americans.
“For
generations men have been told that they have to act tough,” said
US Surgeon General Richard Carmona. “Today we’re saying
to men, it’s okay to talk to someone about what you’re thinking,
or how you’re feeling, or if you’re hurting.
" We
are attacking the stigma that tough guys can’t seek help," Carmona
said. "They can and they should.”
Research
studies have found that depression affects twice as many women as men. However,
research and clinical findings reveal that women and men may talk differently
– or in the case of men, not talk – about the symptoms of
depression.
Men
may not recognize their irritability, sleep problems, loss of interest
in work or hobbies, and withdrawal as signs of depression. This
may result in fewer men recognizing their depression and asking for
the help they need.
“This
campaign is aimed at men," said Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the NIMH.
"The hope here is to address men who may not even recognize that depression
is the problem or that much can be done to help them. Effective
treatments are available and the success rate is very high - more than
80 percent - for people who seek help.”
Depression
is a serious medical condition that affects the body, mind, and behavior,
NIMH experts say. Depression can strike anyone
regardless of age, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, or gender.
Symptoms of depression vary among individuals.
Instead
of acknowledging their feelings, asking for help, or seeking appropriate
treatment, men with depression may be more likely to turn to alcohol
or drugs, or to become frustrated, discouraged, angry, or irritable.
Some men may throw themselves compulsively into their work or hobbies,
attempting to hide their depression from themselves, family, and friends;
other men may respond to depression by engaging in reckless behavior.
“This
is an important area of research,” said Dr. Dennis Charney, chief
of the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program at the NIMH.
“We need to understand how men respond to stress and symptoms
associated with depression, and how to alert physicians to better recognize
and treat depressive disorders in men.”
“Men
lead very complex lives, balancing many responsibilities,” Dr.
Insel said. “Depression can impair their ability to be successful.”
Older
men are especially prone to avoid asking for help, says Dr. Jurgen Unutzer,
an associate professor of psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine
at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Unutzer
and his colleagues surveyed 1,801 adults age 60 and older in 18 primary-care
clinics in five states. They found 32 percent of women had received
treatment for depression in the three months before the study, compared
to only 22 percent of men.
"Women
were 50 percent more likely to have had treatment for depression," Unutzer
says. "We are missing a tremendous opportunity to help men."
Most
of the people Unutzer treats for depression are women. When he treats
men, they often come because their wives have asked them to seek help.
"It's
a very difficult thing for men to talk about it," Unutzer says.
"They try to minimize it. When I ask them about their symptoms, they
tend to say, 'Oh, it's not that bad.'"
But
that doesn't mean they're not suffering, he says.
Always
consult your physician for more information.
What
Are the Symptoms of Depression?
Depending
upon age and the type of mood disorder present, a person may exhibit
different symptoms of depression.
The
following are the most common symptoms of a mood disorder. However,
each individual may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms
may include:
- persistent
feelings of sadness
- feeling hopeless
or helpless
- having low
self-esteem
- feeling inadequate
- excessive guilt
- feelings of
wanting to die
- loss of interest
in usual activities or activities once enjoyed
- difficulty
with relationships
- sleep disturbances
(e.g., insomnia, hypersomnia)
- changes in
appetite or weight
- decreased energy
- difficulty
concentrating
- a decrease
in the ability to make decisions
- suicidal thoughts
or attempts
- frequent physical
complaints (e.g., headache, stomach ache, fatigue)
- running away
or threats of running away from home
- hypersensitivity
to failure or rejection
- irritability,
hostility, aggression
In
mood disorders, these feelings appear more intense than what a person
may normally feel from time to time. It is also of concern if these
feelings continue over a period of time, or interfere with an individual's
interest in family, friends, community, or work. Any person who expresses
thoughts of suicide should be evaluated immediately.
The
symptoms of mood disorders may resemble other conditions or psychiatric
problems.
Always
consult your physician for a diagnosis.
Online
Resources
American
College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
American
Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Men's
Health Network
National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of
Health (NIH)
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May 2003
In
This Issue:
May
Is National Mental Health Month
What
Are the Symptoms of Depression?
Gear
Up for the Greens
Go
Easy on That Elbow
Old
Ankle Sprains May Need More Attention
Online
Resources
Other
Resources:
Find
a St. John's Mercy Physician
Sports
& Therapy Services at St. John's Mercy
Men's
Health Information
St.
John's Mercy Classes and Programs
In
Other Men's Health News:
Gear
Up for the Greens
For
many dedicated golfers, warm days can't come soon enough. But while
your clubs are at the ready, there are certain exercises you can
do to get out on the links in shape, according to the PGA
National Resort and Spa.
Men
across the US will up their fitness during Running and Fitness
Week May 11-17.
PGA
National Resort and Spa experts suggest experienced golfers
do two sets of repetitions of each of the following stretches:
Incline
push-ups - like regular pushups but done on an incline; perform
these to improve posture and upper body strength.
Wall
side raises - to strengthen the shoulder muscles. Stand with your
back against a wall with your feet about 18 inches away and your
arms relaxed by your side. Hold dumbbells in your hands and slowly
raise your arms to shoulder height out from your sides and back
down.
Sit
to stands (squats) - to strengthen the big muscles of the lower
body. Sit in a chair with your hands crossed in front of your shoulders.
Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly stand while squeezing
your buttocks and return to your original position.
Rotary
torso extensions - to keep your turn flexible and strong for longer
drives. Lie flat on your back on the floor with your knees bent
at a 90-degree angle. Cross one foot over the other knee and rotate
your torso to the left and right. Alternate sides.
Incline
lunges - to strengthen and stretch the hips, which will help you
maintain good power and rotation in your swing. Standing with one
foot on a chair or bench, slide your grounded foot back so your
heel is off the ground. Slowly lunge forward until your front knee
is aligned over the toe.
If
you have an existing medical condition, or are just starting an
exercise program, be sure to consult your physician prior to beginning
the program to make sure the exercise program that you choose is
designed with your health and wellness top of mind.
Go
Easy on That Elbow
Tennis
elbow and its cousin, golfer's elbow, are not just for tennis and
golf players.
They
can affect anyone who engages in repetitive movements, even away
from the court or the green.
Repetitive
motion tends to weaken the tendons in the elbow area, making them
prone to tearing. With tennis elbow, it's the tendon on the outside
of the elbow that is damaged.
With
golfer's elbow, it's the tendon on the inside of the elbow. In both
cases, the person feels pain in the elbow area and often has difficult
performing such simple tasks as gripping a coffee cup or extending
the forearm fully.
Experts
suggets that the first step to treating tennis or golfer's elbow
is to stop the activity that caused it, take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
medication such as ibuprofen, and apply ice to the elbow. A compression
band wrapped around the forearm may reduce pain.
The
best strategy is prevention. Make sure your equipment is suitable
- that means a lightweight tennis racquet and a proper grip on your
racquet or club.
The
Mayo Clinic recommends having a pro check out your golf swing to
make sure there is not too much wrist movement.
Always
warm up thoroughly before playing.
The
American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
suggests trying a strengthening/stretching exercise.
First,
support your forearm on a flat surface; hold a one-to-two pound
weight in the hand. Keep the palm face down while slowly extending
your wrist. Bring the weight up, then bend it back down. Repeat
the exercise 10 times slowly, then switch arms.
Next,
do the same exercise with your palm facing up. You can substitute
a loop of rubber tubing for the weight. Attach one end to a table
leg or hold it on the floor with your foot to provide resistance.
Always
consult your physician for a diagnosis.
Old
Ankle Sprains May Need More Attention
If
a person has suffered an ankle sprain in the past, there is
an increased risk for more serious foot or ankle damage.
It's
estimated that one in four sports injuries involves the foot or
ankle. A majority of those foot and ankle injuries are the result
of incomplete rehabilitation of earlier injuries, say experts at
the recent annual scientific meeting of the American College
of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
People
who are at particular risk for those kinds of injuries are newly
active baby boomers who are aging and trying to improve their physical
condition by getting back into sports and fitness.
Experts
recommend having ankles checked for chronic instability caused by
sprains and other injuries from years ago that may not have healed
properly.
Both
weekend athletes and professional athletes often underestimate how
serious a sprain can be. The experts say these individuals
hurry to get back into their sport or activity without taking the
time necessary for proper rehabilitation of the injury.
A
sprain that occurred years ago can leave residual weakness that
is not noticed while doing normal daily activities. But physical
activity can further damage improperly healed ligaments and result
in persistent pain and swelling, the experts say.
Always
consult your physician for a diagnosis.
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