Depression a topic of concern is one of those topics people don’t always like to bring up, but the truth is, it’s something so many people face even if they don’t talk about it. It’s not just about being sad for a few days. Everyone gets sad. Maybe you fail an exam, lose a job, got a breakup usually with time you pick yourself up and keep going. But depression is different. It’s like carrying a heavy school bag that you can’t take off, no matter how hard you try. For example, someone who use to like hanging out with friends may suddenly lose interest, imagine a girl who used to paint that's her hubby everybody knows that but now stares at the canvas and feels nothing, or a young man who was once full of energy but now struggles to even get out of bed in the morning. Depression can drain the joy out of the things that once causes someone excitement. The signs can be different for everyone. Some people sleep too much, while others can’t sleep at all. And you know if you can't sleep that may cause high blood pressure for some people very deadly. Some eat more than a normal people should eat while others lose their appetite you might have even notice someone withdrawing from conversations, skipping gatherings, or always saying, “I’m just tired.” In reality, they’re fighting an invisible battle in their mind. For many men you can't know they are depressed because they act normal and most times it often hides behind their anger and silence.
Depression in men can show up as fatigue, loss of interest in hobbies, or even health issues like headaches, back pain, or trouble sleeping,high bp. Some men drink too much of alcohol to deal with the stress, use drugs, or spend long hours gaming or scrolling online as a way to escape the heavy feelings they can’t put into words. Sadly, because the symptoms don’t always match the “traditional” idea of depression, it often goes unnoticed.
Another thing to consider is that men are less likely to ask for help many men keep it bottled up until it feels unbearable. That’s one reason why suicide rates are often higher among men than women. It’s not that men suffer more, but that they often suffer in silence
The good news is that depression is treatable. THERAPHY for instance, gives people a safe space to talk through their thoughts and feelings. MEDICATION, when prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist, can help balance things out in the brain and some changes like exercising, eating well, and building strong support network can make a real difference. Sometimes, even a simple phone call from a caring friend can lighten someone’s burden.
So if you’re struggling, please know you’re not alone and if you know someone going through it, your kindness and patience might be exactly what they need. Depression is tough, but with understanding and support, it doesn’t have to define anyone’s life.
Depression doesn’t make a man weak in fact it takes real courage to admit, “I’m not okay, and I need help.” The more we normalize these the more men will feel safe to seek support and get the care they deserve
