Mental Health Care More Likely With Dads

Being a father seems to increase the likelihood of a man seeking help for mental illness, say researchers for the American Psychiatric Association.

Out of 138 million men in the United States (2002 U.S. Census), as many as 6 million men live with depression. Depression, true depression, isn’t about feeling blue or just not feeling right. Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain that leads to the signs and symptoms we see. But, men don’t react to depression in the same way as women, as a rule. While women may admit to feeling worthless, sad or guilty, men are more likely to admit to being fatigued, irritable, and no longer have interest in activities that they once enjoyed.

Men are also more likely to self-medicate than women, using alcohol or drugs to help themselves feel better. They may start doing very risky things or become workaholics, to try to avoid what they are feeling.

The American Psychiatric Association published results of a study that looked at men and depression.

Over 90 percent of men surveyed said their role as a father or legal guardian would have an impact on their decision to seek help if they were feeling depressed. Survey respondents were more likely to say they would encourage their fathers to seek help for depression if they are parents themselves. More than 90 percent of parents or guardians who still have contact with their fathers said they would be likely to encourage their own fathers to seek help for depression if they felt it was interfering with his work or relationships, while only 85 percent of the non-parents would encourage their father to get help.

This interesting finding places even more emphasis on the effects of fatherhood – a role long depicted has hardly necessary in today’s society.

Also interesting are the results that showed men would rather discuss more serious physical issues than depression or mental health:

While stigma surrounding mental health issues has declined, many men indicated that they are more comfortable discussing other health issues. Half of the men surveyed said it would be easier or equally easy to talk to their fathers about depression, while a third said it would be easier to talk to them about screening for cancer than seeking help for depression.

What are the symptoms of depression in general? According to the National Institutes of Health, depression can be shown by:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
• Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• Overeating, or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

What do you think? Are men becoming more comfortable with discussing issues like depression? If you’re a man, have you sought help for depression? Do you know someone who has?

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