Men have a more difficult time accepting the reality of depression or recognizing its symptoms.

This is because when they're angry, they tend to mask their emotions, allowing their depression to present in anger and irritability.

So, what are the signs of depression in men?

There are various signs of depression in men which includes changes in their thoughts, feelings, behavior, and even physically.

For example, a man may feel angry, sad, hopeless, indecisive, or guilty.

A man may think negative thoughts such as suicidal thoughts, or your life is not worth living.

A man may behave differently like not going out with friends, not being able to concentrate, or behaving recklessly.

Below shows the signs of depression in men and how to manage them.

Anger

Anger is an emotional sign of depression in men.

It's a problem when it turns into hostility, outbursts, or even violent altercations. 

One can manage anger by first recognizing the signs.

It can help you take action before it becomes a problem. 

Your heart beating faster or fist clenching are physical warning signs to look out for.

When you notice these warning signs, take quick action to prevent yourself from doing or saying things that would cause more harm. 

If your anger is giving you problems and you're having trouble controlling it, you should seek professional help. 

Also, play some music to take your mind off your feelings.

Sadness

Sadness can be the result of an unexpected change or a warning that you need to make changes in your life. 

Go outside and meet people. 

Despite your heartbreaking sadness, life goes on as usual. 

A change in scenery can be a wonderful way to manage sadness.

Accept your sadness. 

You can cry if you feel like you need to. 

Get help immediately if your sadness turns into depression. 

Call a friend if you feel the frustrations piling up, or consider therapy if your sadness gets in the way of your daily routine.

Make time for activities you enjoy with people who are important to you because it alleviates the feelings of isolation that are frequently associated with sadness. 

Allow hope and light to shine through.

Hopelessness 

If you find it difficult to reframe hopeless thoughts, learn how to be gentle with yourself.

 Never forget to understand that no matter how unjust or painful a loss or change is, the future holds many more kind and happy moments. 

Practice self-care and positive self-talk, and be grateful for what you have.

Being hopeless can make you feel numb, and when you feel numb or emotionless, you tend to harm yourself or commit suicide. 

If you notice these signs, don't hesitate to call for help. 

Consider what you could gain from having hope and start acting as if you were hopeful.

Meet new people, get a new job. 

Do all those things even if you don't think it will work.

Guilt

This is another emotional sign of depression in men. 

Although mistakes are normal to human growth, guilt creeps in and stakes out space in your consciousness which can cause plenty of emotional and physical turmoil.

It is important to acknowledge your guilt because refusing to do that, might temporarily keep it from spilling into your everyday life.

 Forgive yourself and also, practice self-acceptance, trust yourself and do things differently in a good way. 

Even if it's hard to talk to someone, talk to people you trust because sharing difficult feelings often releases tension.

Lack of Concentration

This is a behavioral sign of depression in men. 

One can overcome a lack of concentration by engaging in mental exercises like meditation and listening to meditation music. 

Playing concentration games like rhyming word games, etc, is a fun way to enhance your concentration.

You can manage a lack of concentration by rethinking/changing your environment. Make changes to your environment to make concentration easier.

Physical activities, dietary habits, and weight can all affect how well you perform and concentrate.

So exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet.

Sleep Deprivation 

It is more difficult to sleep when you're depressed.

 And the more tired you are, the more difficult it is to overcome depression. 

You can overcome a lack of sleep by consulting your doctor about any sleep issues or depressive symptoms.

You will sleep longer and better if you develop good sleep hygiene. 

A few adjustments to your bedtime routine can make a significant difference.

 Since depression can cause you to ruminate, keeping you awake all night, you should try to meditate and relax. 

This will help you calm your mind and make you fall asleep. 

Indecisiveness 

Try to forget your fears, take a step back, and tell yourself, that you can become a decisive person. 

Also, learn to trust yourself and believe that you're good enough, especially if you're a perfectionist.

Another way to defeat indecisiveness is never to obsess about the outcomes of your decisions. 

Writing down your decisions enables you to link and visualize concepts and results, assisting you in making better-informed decisions.

Suicidal Thoughts  

This is a mental sign of depression in men. 

It is very common but can be frightening and confusing. 

Think of some of the things that made you feel better in the past when you were dealing with similar issues.

Consider all the motivations for living, write them down and remind yourself about them when you're feeling down. 

Avoid drugs and alcohol, and seek professional help if it persists. 

Loss of Appetite 

This is a physical sign of depression in men and a common nutritional challenge. 

Choose foods that are enjoyable to eat and have a pleasant aroma, and plan your meals the day before eating them.

Have a better sleep schedule and you can also take medications prescribed by the doctor to increase your appetite. 

Adding more calories to your meals is another strategy to increase your appetite, and ensure you're eating enough during the day.

Lack of Interest 

Practice self-care because if you're not taking care of yourself, both your body, mind, passions, and interests will suffer. 

So take care of yourself.

 Find a friend with similar hobbies/interests so that you'll be motivated.

Conclusion

It is important to identify the signs of depression in men and take action in overcoming them. 

Depression becomes a much more manageable part of the human experience when treated with talk therapy, medication, or the two of them. 

If you notice your loved one is experiencing symptoms of depression, don't hesitate to contact a mental health professional. 

This is the best step to take in order to get better.

Resources 

Amy Morin (2021). 9 Things to Do If You Feel Hopeless. Available from: https://www.verywellmind.com/9-things-to-do-if-you-feel-hopeless-5081877

Amy Morin (2021). Anger Management Strategies to Help You Calm Down. Available from: https://www.verywellmind.com/anger-management-strategies-4178870

Amy Morin (2021). Coping With Sleep Disturbances During Depression. Available from: https://www.verywellmind.com/coping-with-sleep-disturbances-during-depression-4161015

Crystal Raypole (2020). Guilt Makes a Heavy Burden. Don't Let It Drag You Down. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-stop-feeling-

Hannah Nichols (2017). Five ways to boost concentration. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320165

Healthline Editorial Team (2017). 5 Steps for Overcoming Indecision. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/5-steps-overcoming-indecision

Joshua Miles (2019). How To Manage Feeling Sad. Available from: https://welldoing.org/article/how-manage-feeling-sad

Kimberly Holland (2019). How to Control Anger: 25 Tips to Help You Stay calm. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-control-anger

Maria Rodale (2014). 21 Ways to Deal with Sadness. Available from: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/21-ways-to-deal-with-sadn_b_5803672/amp

Vidya Sury (2021). How to deal with sadness (15 coping strategies). Available from: https://vidyasury.com/2021/05/how-to-deal-with-sadness.html