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Everyone has at one time or another accused a woman of having pms. What they don't realize is that premenstrual symptom is a cause of changing hormones which contribute to depression. Women also experience hormonal changes during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and menopause. Some women experience postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Postpartum depression goes beyond what is called the "baby blues" and is a serious condition that should be treated by a doctor (National Institute of Mental Health). |
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Statistically, men are less likely to suffer from depression than women. Men are also more likely not see help for depressive symptoms in men, and doctors do not look for and diagnose depression in men the same way they do in women. |
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Men (and women) may also mask symptoms of depression by abusing alcohol or drugs. Men do not present with the same symptoms as women do, and as such it makes them harder to diagnose. Men are more likely to be irritable, angry, and pessimistic, or even present with somatic symptoms such as chest pains. Men are also more reluctant to seek treatment and with all people with depression, need family support in their quest for treatment (National Institute of Mental Health).
