By Donna V. Scaglione
Everyone can get the blues, especially this time of year when the days are shorter. But the blues don’t persist for long; real clinical depression, the most common mental disorder, lingers for periods of time and affects our ability to function in everyday situations.
Causes of depression can be multi-faceted, and they usually involve genetic, hormonal, psychological, social, environmental, and other factors. Certain life events can trigger it, like the loss of a job, which can be particularly devastating for men.
A recent article in the British Journal of Psychiatry warned that social and economic changes in Western society affecting men’s status as the main family breadwinner could result in a rise of depression among men. The good news is depression is a highly treatable disease, but you must recognize its signs and seek help.
1. Know the symptoms
The severity, frequency, and duration of the symptoms of depression can vary for people, but generally, these are its signs and symptoms, according to the National Institute of Mental Health:
• Loss of appetite
• Overeating
• Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, restlessness, or irritability
• Hopelessness and/or pessimism
• Insomnia
• Excessive sleeping
• Loss of interest in activities that once brought pleasure, including sex
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Difficulty making decisions and concentrating
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts at suicide
