Causes of Male Depression

What are the causes of male depression?

When ever you find yourself to be sad, angry or ill first thing you need to do is to find out what causes your sadness, anger or illness. Once the causes are known the healing process can begin.

Genetic Makeup:

Some types of depressive disorders such as Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) run in family. Men whose parents have been suffering from Bipolar Disorder or Major Depression are more vulnerable to depression than men who in their family history do not have depressive disorders.

Biology/Chemistry:

Our brain is made of nerve cells. Those nerve cells are not physically connected. Between each nerve cells there is a gap called the synapse. Through this gap brain cells communicate by the chemicals called neurotransmitters which are produced and released by neurons.

There are many neurotransmitters however the most relevant for depression are serotonin, epinephrine and dopamine. Any problems including: producing, transporting, releasing or fusing can be the possible causes of male depression.

Medications:

Some medications can have side effects which can resemble symptoms of depression. This is why if you suspect that you or your loved one may be suffering from depression first thing you need to do is to go over all the medication that are being taken with your physician.

Physical Condition:

People who get chronically ill with some serious and chronic disease such as cancer, heart disease or HIV are much more vulnerable to depression than healthy individuals.

High blood pressure is unfortunately common for middle aged men. High blood pressure is potentially very dangerous and in many cases leads to heart attack. Because of this men with high blood pressure take medication that helps them with this problem. Unfortunately this medication in many cases leaves men impotent.

Impotency alone is one of the most common causes of male depression. Impotency in 85% of men is caused psychologically and only 10-15% of impotent men have some kind of physical disability. Unfortunately men are very uncomfortable talking about this problem and because of that they suffer in silence which worsens their condition.

Stress:

Stress is definitely one of the most common causes of male depression. Stressful events such as getting married, becoming a father, getting divorced or losing job can all cause male depression.

As you can see an event doesn’t need to be negative in order to trigger depression in men or depression in general. Interpersonal problems, financial problems and problems at work are daily things for majority of men. This is the way they live despite the fact that it is a very unhealthy way of living. These problems are common causes of male depression and need to be worked on before depression takes place.

Trauma:

Traumatic events such as war, childhood abuse or loss of a loved one are common causes of male depression. War veterans whether they have won or lost the war have another war to fight with depression and anxiety (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Men that have been physically, mentally and sexually abused in childhood, very often experience depression at some point of their lives. Unfortunately they rarely seek help because of shame they feel. The fact is that there is nothing to be ashamed of because they have done nothing wrong. Sadly, many of them suffer in silence.

Alcohol Abuse:

Men, alcohol and depression should never be mixed. Men drink for fun and they drink when sad. The last thing one should do is to drink if he is sad and depressed because they will end up even more sad and depressed. Alcohol abuse is on the top of the list of the "most common causes of male depression".

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