Mental health is often associated with women. Men may feel ashamed to admit that they have a mental illness, or don’t know how to deal with the stigma of it. It’s important that men understand the different types of mental health disorders, the symptoms, and learn ways to manage them. The symptoms of depression in men are different than those seen in women, so this article will offer some insight for men who are experiencing depression. We’ll also take a look at how stress affects us and what we can do to manage it.
What is mental health?
Mental health disorders are common in both men and women. One in four men will experience a mental disorder during his lifetime. One in six or 17% of the population, either male or female, is affected by depression at some point.
Some of the most common mental health disorders include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD, schizophrenia or psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. There is a stigma associated with many types of mental illnesses that can be damaging to those who suffer from them – this stigmatization is known as social rejection which leads people to believe they are weak for having a condition when it’s really just something everyone has battled at some point in their life.
Men and Depression
Depression is the most common mental illness for men, with one in six men living with it.
The stigma around depression in men is an issue that often prevents men from getting help. Men may feel ashamed to admit they have a mental illness or don’t know how to deal with the negative stigma associated with it.
Some symptoms of depression in men are
- Feeling hopeless
- Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
- Low energy
- Changes in appetite
It’s important for all individuals to understand what mental health disorders are, the symptoms and how to manage them, so we’ll take a look at how stress affects us and what we can do to manage it.
How Stress Affects Men
Stress is a natural part of life, and can actually be helpful in some cases. It allows us to respond to challenges with an “action-oriented mindset.” But when we’re constantly stressed, the impact can be more detrimental.
According to psychiatrist Dr. John Ratey, stress often causes high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and headaches. High stress also affects your brain and can lead to long-term changes in how you think and feel. You might find it difficult to concentrate or make decisions; your mood may change quickly; or you may experience shortness of breath or stomach pain.
Stress could also play a role in erectile dysfunction (ED). Asian men tend to have stress during work and the rate of having an ED has been increasing. In some country, such as Japan, it’s really hard to do a work-life balance. While in a country like Thailand, maintaining work-life balance seems to be possible. Thai people usually go to public park for an exercise more often. This help the reduce the chance of getting stress and ED. So that don’t need a Viagra, as called by the local as ไวอากร้า, to boost up their sexual activity.
Coping with Stress
Stress is inevitable. In today’s world, it seems like everything is always on-the-go and we are constantly juggling a million things, so it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
We may not realize it but stress can have an impact on our mental health and well-being. Stress can also lead to more serious issues if left untreated. The symptoms of depression in men are different than those seen in women, so this article will offer some insight for men who are experiencing depression. We’ll also take a look at how stress affects us and what we can do to manage it.
Conclusion
One of the most important things to address in a man’s life is his mental health. It can affect everything from his relationships to his work, and even his physical health. But it is also one of the most difficult things to talk about. It’s time to break the silence and start talking about mental health. The first step is educating the people around us and, even if it feels daunting, beginning a conversation today will go a long way in making sure we are all taking care of ourselves.