Movember Means More than Macho Mustaches: Part 3 – Mental Health

Men think they’re invincible. They don’t like to admit they’re weak. Or need help. Especially when it comes to their health.

That goes double for mental health.

The stigma of mental health issues often keeps men from seeking help. But, it’s not just avoidance that keeps them from being treated. Men often don’t even recognize that they have a mental health issue.

Although mental health issues in men are less common than they are in women, still more than 7% of men are diagnosed with depression each year. That percentage may seem low, but it’s still 6 million men annually.

Men with depression express it in different ways – not just low mood or loss of interest. Instead of being sad, depressed men actually become irritable or hostile. They often engage in risky activities, such as drunk driving or promiscuity.

Depression isn’t the only mental illness men suffer from. Anxiety ranks high on the list. And anxiety is more than just being stressed or worried about a situation that eventually passes. True anxiety is when stressed out feelings constantly hang around for no reason or cause.

Another form of mental illness is psychosis, making men unable to distinguish what is real. This disorder has a very broad definition and is generally used to describe a variety of issues until an exact diagnosis can be made. Men suffering from psychosis offer suffer from delusions or hallucinations.

Although only about 1% of people suffer from schizophrenia, it’s still a very serious issue. Schizophrenia affects brain function, interfering with the ability to think, feel or act. A schizophrenic’s thinking can be confused, and they may also suffer from delusions and hallucinations.

So, what can men do if they feel they are experiencing a mental health issue. They should see a doctor as soon as possible. A trained professional can offer a wide variety of treatments that can help men live a happier and healthier life.

Remember, mental health issues are illnesses – not weaknesses. And by talking about them, barriers to treatment can be broken down.

In Part 4 of the series, we’ll feature men’s health and what men can do to improve their health.

Sources

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/male-depression/MC00041

http://us.movember.com/mens-health/mental-health

http://www.psych.org/mental-health/more-topics/warning-signs-of-mental-illness

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