Depression in men is a treatable psychological disorder, which without treatment can lead to serious consequences - cardiovascular diseases, suicide. Men are considered to be the strong half of humanity. This statement forms behavioral stereotypes, due to which a person does not recognize weakness and his depressive state for a long time.
A timely visit to the Leto Mental Health Center will help get rid of the manifestations of male depression in the shortest possible time and with minimal complications for the body. Just dial 8(969)060-93-93 and make an appointment with the clinic’s psychiatrist
Symptoms of your husband's depression that should alert you
The main signs of depressive disorder:
- Marked deterioration in mood.
- Feelings of longing and
- that anxiety.
- The inability to rejoice used to bring pleasure.
- Lethargy, decreased activity of thought and mental processes
If depression in women manifests itself in indifference and apathy, then in men the characteristic signs may be:
- frequent mood changes from apathy to irritability;
- causeless outbursts of rage and anger;
- indifference towards the immediate environment;
- reduction of self-esteem to one’s own insignificance;
- frequent reasoning about the lack of meaning in one’s life;
- insomnia and lack of appetite;
- lack of sexual desire;
- blood pressure surges;
- excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- decreased physical activity.
In this case, a “cognitive triad” of negative attitudes towards:
- to yourself;
- the surrounding world;
- to your future.
Often a depressed patient wants to suppress inner weakness and pain through alcohol or drugs. But this only leads to a deterioration in the general condition.
Causes of male depression
Depression in men does not occur without a reason. Often, the same external factor can affect a person’s psyche in different ways. But there are a number of external reasons that influence a man’s emotional background to varying degrees. These include:
- psychological trauma of childhood (peer resentment, violence);
- low academic performance (constant pressure from teachers);
- unsuccessful intimate experience (mockery of a sexual partner);
- army years (bullying by colleagues);
- dismissal from work;
- loss of loved ones (departure of relatives);
- financial problems (constant lack of finances);
- problems in family life (frequent scandals, divorce, division of property);
- ridicule of the environment;
- impotence;
- retirement.
The onset of depression begins long before the onset of pronounced symptoms of depression.
Description of the disease
The current International Classification of Diseases classifies depression and depressive disorders as a nosological group of conditions, united by the coding F00-F99, under which various mental disorders are collected. Depression in ICD-10 can be found under codes F32 and F33.
In a general sense, depression is a mental state characterized by extremely negative psychosomatics:
- Depressed mood;
- Pessimistic perception of life with loss of the ability to experience joy;
- Retardation of motor activity.
These manifestations represent the classic “depressive triad.”
To determine whether a patient has depressive conditions and the severity of depression, experts have empirically identified three types of criteria.
- Type “A” corresponds to:
- The duration of the depressive episode is more than 2 weeks;
- No history of manic or hypomanic symptoms in the patient
- Type “B” involves the manifestation of more than two symptoms, including:
- Increased general fatigue;
- Daily depressed mood independent of the external situation;
- Significant loss of interest in activities that previously brought significant pleasure.
- Low self-esteem and loss of self-confidence;
- Feelings of guilt that are inadequate to reality or causeless self-condemnation;
- Suicidal thoughts and manifestations;
- Hypermotility or behavioral inhibition;
- Sleep disorders;
- Changes in appetite.
In accordance with the provisions of ICD-10, the criteria for episodes of depression assume three degrees of severity:
- Mild degree: the presence of 2 or more symptoms of list “B” and the sum of more than 4 symptoms included in lists “B” and “C”. This degree is characterized by some concern that the patient expresses about the presence of typical symptoms of depression against the background of decreased social activity and difficulties in performing usual work;
- Moderate severity: more than 2 symptoms “B” and more than 6 in total “B” and “C”. The condition is characterized by significant difficulty in performing work and social responsibilities;
- Severe episode: 3 symptoms listed in list “B” and the sum of the criteria of lists “B” and “C” exceeding 8. This episode may be accompanied by psychotic syndromes. Suggests the presence of suicidal thoughts and actions, agitation, feelings of worthlessness, hallucinations and unlikely social adaptation. Doing work and living is extremely difficult and unlikely.
My husband has depression: what to do?
It is important to understand that a man himself will never admit that he has depression. Therefore, at her first, the wife and all her close circle should show activity. The ideal option is to immediately consult a psychiatrist.
For minor symptoms of depressive disorder, the following may help:
- distraction from everyday problems with a family vacation or trip;
- involvement in active participation in public and family affairs;
- refusal to reproach and/or ignore;
- encouragement, gratitude for doing even a small thing, raising a man’s self-esteem;
- creating a friendly atmosphere in the house;
- new positive emotions;
- involvement in the sports world (regular participation in sports).
It is necessary to convey to your spouse that it is impossible to insure against depression. But the following will help reduce its manifestations:
- Discussion of the problem - you should not withdraw into yourself. Discussing your worries with someone close to you reduces your fears by half.
- Physical exercise - any physical exercise stimulates the production of “happiness hormones”.
- Taking part in the lives of loved ones - interest and activity in family life or in your close circle distracts from your own experiences.
- Hobby - a hobby allows you to spend your free time to your advantage.
If all these measures do not help, do everything in your power to get your husband to see a psychiatrist.
Treatment of male depression at the Leto clinic
The goal of treatment is to relieve or eliminate symptoms, restore work, family and social functioning, and prevent relapse. One of the first tasks is to decide whether treatment will be done on an outpatient basis or in a hospital.
Treatment methods vary: medications, psychotherapy, psychoeducation, self-help methods, electrical stimulation therapy, light therapy, or combinations of individual methods. It is an integrated approach to treating depression that provides the greatest results.
Medication methods
In some cases, the use of drugs that affect the psychological state will be required. Depending on the clinical picture and individual characteristics of the person, the following may be prescribed:
- Antidepressants are drugs that stimulate the body’s production of “happiness” hormones.
- Normotimics are medications that reduce aggressiveness and normalize the patient’s psychological state.
- Tranquilizers - relieve overexcitation of the nervous system.
Antidepressants have a selective effect. This means that for some people it will cause significant improvement and disappearance of depressive symptoms, for others some symptoms will go away and some will remain, and for a third group of people the drug may not work at all. That is why these drugs should not be taken without a doctor's prescription. During therapy, it may be necessary to adjust the dosage or replace some medications with others.
Treatment takes place in 3 stages:
- The first or acute phase lasts 4-6 weeks and usually results in relief of depressive symptoms. If after this period there is no improvement, a drug of a different pharmacological group (with a different mechanism of action) is introduced into the therapeutic regimen.
- Second phase. Aimed at maintaining a state of remission.
- The third stage of treatment is used in cases where a man experiences frequent episodes of depression and includes the preventive use of antidepressants.
All drugs are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
PROGRAM FOR OUT OF DEPRESSION BY A PSYCHOTHERAPIST WITH 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Richard O'Connor, in addition to being a certified specialist in psychiatry, is also the author of many books that have become very popular due to their content and ease of understanding. They talk about many useful things: how to get rid of bad habits, how to become happy and how to get out of depression.
The psychotherapist considers depression not only a mental illness, but also a serious social problem. It should be treated by a specialist, relying on drug therapy and psychotherapy. But professional help is often not enough, since there is always a risk of relapse. An independent way out of depression, the 12 basic principles of which were formulated by O'Connor, will allow you to avoid it. They echo what was said above.
He writes that depression forces a person to think and behave in a certain way, and these become his inalienable habits. They are the ones who dictate an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. But you can change your thinking, set it on a different course, change your life in a more constructive direction.
So, here are the principles that you need to follow to get out of depression on your own:
1. Don’t avoid expressing feelings, experience them. A person suffering from depression creates a defense mechanism to isolate himself from disturbing emotions, including both unpleasant and pleasant ones. This deprives the individual of important life information - such anesthesia leads to the development of despondency and aggravation of the situation.
Experiencing emotions and expressing them are two different things: we cannot control the first, but we can and should control the second. You can't be sure you need to feel a certain way, because it destroys your personality.
Therefore, you should not be afraid of feelings, because both strong sadness and joy pass very quickly. A person is like a buoy: our emotions are constantly balancing, but eventually stabilize. So you shouldn’t suppress them: crying, laughing, defending your opinion, etc. will improve the condition. You just need to show them where you are understood, and you will certainly find support.
2. Look for the reason. The mood changes for a reason - there is a reason for it and it needs to be identified. If this is difficult to do, it may be advisable to keep a journal and record the events leading up to the episode of depression. Thanks to this, it will be possible to accurately identify the “culprit”. This could be a difficult conversation, a dream, something heard or read, a memory, etc.
Knowing what causes you to feel sad helps you overcome depression. Now the situation can be avoided or changed, and if both fail, then it is better to come to terms with it and not take it too seriously.
3. Practice mindfulness meditation regularly. This will rewire the brain, give you the opportunity to focus on yourself and eliminate obsessive anxiety. Mastering the skills of conscious living, not judging everything in black and white, accepting the world without distortion, not trying to control what is impossible, and enjoying every day is not easy, but it is quite possible.
Repeat the mantra (can be replaced with the phrase) “Lord, give me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, give me the courage to change what I can change, and give me the wisdom to distinguish one from the other” - and everything will work out!
4. Exercise regularly. The brain stores a person's experience, and it changes chemically, electrically, and structurally with every thought, experience, and feeling. Depression damages it by remembering depressive habits. But we are able to create new awareness, “build” other, positive skills, point of view and feelings, thereby improving the brain.
5. Get rid of depressive thinking. Avoid pessimism, blaming yourself for all sins and negative coincidences. Change your way of thinking, bad habits, become confident in your abilities. Keep a diary of dysfunctional thoughts to get rid of them, drive out the inner critic.
6. Get your priorities right. Doing things that are unimportant and uninteresting to you leads to depression. Define values for yourself and strictly follow them, even making an effort. Don’t follow bad habits, don’t let others interfere in your life, strengthen your character.
7. Love yourself. Learn to be proud of yourself - it gives pleasure and a feeling of happiness. Write down your achievements and good deeds in a notebook, whatever they may be - spontaneous or a set task. It is usually quite difficult for a person to feel proud of himself, but such discomfort can be quickly overcome.
Small joys are very important: delicious food, a pleasant smell, a comfortable chair, etc. Just pay mindless attention to them - the main thing here is the sensations.
You need to learn to relax. Yoga, dancing, singing in a choir, swimming, aerobics will help with this.
Eat well, take care of your body and health, do not smoke or drink alcohol.
8. Be direct. To be understood correctly, you need to express your desires to your loved one. The language must be unambiguous: what you say and how you say it must match.
Depressed people, as a rule, think that they are not understood, that they are tongue-tied, prefer not to continue the conversation, become silent, and withdraw into themselves. However, if you cannot express your thought, it is better to pause, concentrate, and even ask your interlocutor to ask questions.
In turn, you should listen carefully to what they tell you and ask again for a better understanding.
Communicate more, smile at people, be friendly. It has been proven that extroverts are happy.
9. Find a hero. You need to identify a role model for yourself. This could be someone whom everyone respects for his kindness, courage, self-sacrifice. Such a person can be among both those living and those who have passed away. Of course, he definitely has some shortcomings, but they deserve admiration for their actions.
Try to be like this person and thereby you will begin to respect yourself.
10. Be generous. Of course, it is impossible to find a way out of depression by simply distributing money, showing participation and sympathy. But an outstretched helping hand to another person in need of funds will help get rid of the disorder. If you don’t have the opportunity to do charity work, then you can become a volunteer.
The habit of generosity will break through self-isolation and make you respect and feel better about yourself.
11. Don’t be afraid of intimacy, open up to your loved one. Intimacy opens you up more to him, he gets to know your doubts, secret fears, shameful secrets. This gives birth to harmony in the couple - there is nothing secret anymore, the masks are removed and you are loved for who you really are.
12. Ask for help in a timely manner. Learn to understand the signs that precede a depressive episode. The “bell” may be discomfort in the stomach, irritability, or a lump in the throat. Each person has a different signal, and if you notice it, then immediately, without delay, contact a specialist. Sometimes just one visit to a therapist can prevent a serious relapse.
Take medications prescribed by your doctor - this is not a sign of weakness, but a guarantee that nothing bad will happen.
Attend support groups and give your loved ones instructions in case you get really sick.
Shame to seek help is a symptom of depression and needs to be addressed.
Of course, as Richard O'Connor argues, it is very difficult to live exactly according to these principles. Yes, and they are not easy to master. These new skills need to be constantly practiced, but this requires your great desire to overcome depression.
It will take patience, time, and a lot of work on yourself, which will be accompanied by discomfort and anxiety. But gradually new habits will become commonplace, and then recovery will come.
Cost of services
| CONSULTATIONS OF SPECIALISTS | |
| Initial consultation with a psychiatrist (60 min.) | 6,000 rub. |
| Repeated consultation | 5,000 rub. |
| Consultation with a psychiatrist-narcologist (60 min.) | 5,000 rub. |
| Consultation with a psychologist | 3,500 rub. |
| Consultation with Gromova E.V. (50 minutes) | 12,000 rub. |
| PSYCHOTHERAPY | |
| Psychotherapy (session) | 7,000 rub. |
| Psychotherapy (5 sessions) | 30,000 rub. |
| Psychotherapy (10 sessions) | 60,000 rub. |
| Group psychotherapy (3-7 people) | 3,500 rub. |
| Psychotherapy session with E.V. Gromova (50 minutes) | 12,000 rub. |
| TREATMENT IN A HOSPITAL | |
| Ward for 4 persons | 10,000 rub./day |
| Ward for 3 persons | 13,000 rub./day |
| Ward 1 bed VIP | 23,000 rub./day |
| Individual post | 5,000 rub. |
| PETE | 15,000 rub./day |
This list does not contain all prices for services provided by our clinic. The full price list can be found on the “Prices” , or by calling: 8(969)060-93-93. Initial consultation is FREE!
Prevention of depression
There are several methods to prevent this disorder:
- Timely treatment of hypothyroidism and other somatic disorders that can lead to depression;
- Active lifestyle;
- Smoking, drinking alcohol and other surfactants;
- Timely treatment of a traumatic situation by a psychologist;
- Sufficient amount of sleep;
- Reducing time spent on gadgets;
- Refusal of confectionery products;
- High-quality nutrition that provides a stable supply of nutrients.
People prone to depression should promptly resort to a set of preventive measures that help prevent the development of this terrible disease. Do not forget that every person needs the support of relatives: this helps to maintain a good emotional background.
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