Male depression: Understanding the issues

Male depression is a serious medical condition, but many men try to ignore it or refuse treatment. Learn the signs and symptoms — and what to do.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Do you feel irritable, isolated or withdrawn? Do you find yourself working all the time? Drinking too much? These unhealthy ways of coping may be clues that you have male depression.

Depression can affect men and women differently. When depression occurs in men, it may be hidden by unhealthy coping behavior. For several reasons, male depression often is not diagnosed or treated and can lead to serious and sometimes tragic results. But when treated, male depression usually gets better.

Male depression symptoms

Depression symptoms can differ in men and women. Men tend to use different coping skills — healthy and unhealthy — than women. It isn't clear why depression affects men and women differently. But these differences could be due to brain chemistry, hormones and life experiences. These differences also could stem from the traditional male role, which discourages the expression of emotions and encourages the pursuit of success, power and competition.

Like women with depression, men with depression may:

  • Feel sad, hopeless or empty.
  • Feel very tired.
  • Have a hard time sleeping or sleep too much.
  • Not get pleasure from activities usually enjoyed.

Other behaviors in men that could be symptoms of depression include:

  • Problems getting along with others, including your spouse or partner and other family members.
  • Escapist behavior, such as spending a lot of time at work or on sports.
  • Physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive problems and pain.
  • Problems with alcohol or drug use.
  • Controlling, violent or abusive behavior.
  • Irritability or anger that gets out of control.
  • Risky behavior, such as reckless driving.

These behaviors could be signs of, or might overlap with, other mental health issues. Or they may be related to medical conditions. In either case, professional help is needed to find out the reason for your symptoms and get proper treatment.

Male depression often is not diagnosed

Men with depression often aren't diagnosed for several reasons, including:

  • Not recognizing depression. You may think that feeling sad or emotional is always the main symptom of depression. But for many men, that isn't the main symptom. For example, headaches, digestive problems, tiredness, irritability or long-term pain sometimes can be symptoms of depression. So can feeling isolated and seeking distraction so that you don't have to deal with feelings or relationships.
  • Downplaying symptoms. You may not know how much your symptoms affect you. Or you may not want to admit to yourself or anyone else that you're depressed. But ignoring, covering up or using unhealthy behaviors to hide depression will only make the negative emotions worse.
  • Not wanting to talk about depression symptoms. You may not be open to talking about your feelings with family, friends or a healthcare professional. Like many men, you may have learned to focus on self-control. You may think it isn't manly to express feelings and emotions related to depression, and you may try to cover them up.
  • Not wanting to get mental health treatment. Even if you think you have depression, you may not want to be diagnosed or treated. You may not want to get help because you're worried that the stigma of depression could harm your career or cause family and friends to lose respect for you.

Male depression and suicide

Although women attempt suicide more often than men do, men are more likely to complete suicide. That's because men:

  • Use methods that are more likely to cause death, such as guns.
  • May act more suddenly in the moment on thoughts about suicide.
  • Show fewer warning signs, such as talking about suicide.
  • Are more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol to cope, which increases the risk of suicide.

If you have thoughts about suicide

If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, contact a suicide hotline.

  • In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential.
  • U.S. veterans or service members who are in crisis can call 988 and then press "1" for the Veterans Crisis Line. Or text 838255. Or chat online.
  • The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).

If you have access to guns, unload them and lock them in a safe place. You also could put trigger locks on your guns.

If you're having thoughts of suicide, but you aren't thinking of hurting yourself right away, seek help:

  • Reach out to a close friend or loved one, even though it may be hard to talk about your feelings.
  • Talk to a minister, spiritual leader or someone in your faith community.
  • Think about joining a men's health group that deals with depression.
  • Call a suicide crisis center hotline.
  • Make an appointment with your healthcare professional or a mental health professional.

Get help when you need it

Asking for help can be hard for men. But without treatment, depression isn't likely to go away, and it may get worse. Untreated depression can make you and the people close to you miserable. It can cause problems in every part of your life. It can affect your health, career, how well you get along with others and personal safety.

Depression, even if it's severe, usually gets better with medicines or counseling. This includes talk therapy, also called psychotherapy. Sometimes both medicines and counseling are used. If you or someone close to you thinks you may be depressed, talk to your healthcare professional or a mental health professional. It's a sign of strength to ask for advice or seek help when you need it.

Male depression and coping skills

Treatment with a mental health professional can help you learn to:

  • Note your emotions and coping strategies to see how you can make them better.
  • Learn ways to manage stress, such as meditation and mindfulness, and develop problem-solving skills.
  • Learn to adjust your thinking and try new approaches to situations.
  • Decide what is important in your life and move toward those values.
  • Set realistic goals and put tasks in order of importance.
  • Seek out emotional support from a partner, family or friends. Learn how to make social connections so that you can take part in social activities.
  • Wait until you get better before you make important decisions, such as changing jobs.
  • Take part in activities you usually enjoy, such as ballgames, fishing or a hobby.
  • Try to stay on a regular schedule and make healthy lifestyle choices. This includes healthy eating, regular physical activity, and not using alcohol and other substances, for better mental health.

Many effective treatments are available for depression. Don't try to deal with male depression on your own. The results could be harmful or tragic.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

Feb. 13, 2024 See more In-depth

See also

  1. Addison's disease
  2. Adjustment disorders
  3. Adrenal fatigue: What causes it?
  4. Alleviating migraine pain
  5. Alzheimer's 101
  6. Alzheimer's blood tests
  7. Alzheimer's disease
  8. Alzheimer's drugs
  9. Alzheimer's genes
  10. Alzheimer's prevention: Does it exist?
  11. Alzheimer's sleep problems
  12. Alzheimer's stages
  13. Alzheimer's: New treatments
  14. Ambien: Is dependence a concern?
  15. Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?
  16. Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern?
  17. Antidepressants and pregnancy
  18. Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?
  19. Antidepressants: Can they stop working?
  20. Antidepressants: Selecting one that's right for you
  21. Antidepressants: Side effects
  22. Antidepressants: Which cause the fewest sexual side effects?
  23. Are you at risk of hidradenitis suppurativa?
  24. Atypical antidepressants
  25. Binge-eating disorder
  26. Blood Basics
  27. Borderline personality disorder
  28. Can zinc supplements help treat hidradenitis suppurativa?
  29. Celiac disease
  30. Chewing tobacco
  31. Child abuse
  32. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
  33. Cigar smoking
  34. CJD - Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  35. Clinical depression: What does that mean?
  36. Clinical trials for hidradenitis suppurativa
  37. Coconut oil: Can it cure hypothyroidism?
  38. Complete blood count (CBC)
  39. Complicated grief
  40. Compulsive sexual behavior
  41. Concussion
  42. Concussion in children
  43. Concussion Recovery
  44. Concussion Telemedicine
  45. Coping with the emotional ups and downs of psoriatic arthritis
  46. Coping with the stress of hidradenitis suppurativa
  47. Coughing more after quitting smoking: What's the deal?
  48. COVID-19 and your mental health
  49. Creating a hidradenitis suppurativa care team
  50. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
  51. Cushing syndrome
  52. Cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder)
  53. Delirium
  54. Delusional parasitosis
  55. Depression (major depressive disorder)
  56. Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
  57. Depression during pregnancy
  58. Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap
  59. Depression, anxiety and exercise
  60. Depression: Supporting a family member or friend
  61. Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions
  62. Diagnosing Alzheimer's
  63. Did the definition of Alzheimer's disease change?
  64. Dissociative disorders
  65. Dr. Mark Truty (surgery, MN) better outcomes with chemo
  66. Dr. Wallace Video
  67. Drug addiction (substance use disorder)
  68. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
  69. Fibromyalgia
  70. HABIT program orientation
  71. Hangovers
  72. Hashimoto's disease
  73. Hidradenitis suppurativa
  74. Hidradenitis suppurativa and biologics: Get the facts
  75. Hidradenitis suppurativa and diet: What's recommended?
  76. Hidradenitis suppurativa and sleep: How to get more zzz's
  77. Hidradenitis suppurativa wound care
  78. Hidradenitis suppurativa: Tips for weight-loss success
  79. Hidradenitis suppurativa: What is it?
  80. Hidradenitis suppurativa: When does it appear?
  81. Hidradenitis suppurativa: Where can I find support?
  82. Hidradenitis suppurativa-related health risks
  83. Hookah smoking
  84. How opioid use disorder occurs
  85. How to tell if a loved one is abusing opioids
  86. Hyperparathyroidism
  87. Hypoparathyroidism
  88. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
  89. Hypothyroidism and joint pain?
  90. Hypothyroidism diet
  91. Hypothyroidism symptoms: Can hypothyroidism cause eye problems?
  92. Hypothyroidism: Can calcium supplements interfere with treatment?
  93. Hypothyroidism: Should I take iodine supplements?
  94. Infographic: Pancreatic Cancer: Minimally Invasive Surgery
  95. Infographic: Pancreatic Cancers-Whipple
  96. Insomnia
  97. Insomnia treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy instead of sleeping pills
  98. Insomnia: How do I stay asleep?
  99. Intervention: Help a loved one overcome addiction
  100. Is depression a factor in rheumatoid arthritis?
  101. Kratom for opioid withdrawal
  102. Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective
  103. Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?
  104. Lecanemab for Alzheimer's disease
  105. Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  106. Managing Headaches
  107. Managing hidradenitis suppurativa: Early treatment is crucial
  108. MAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine?
  109. Marijuana and depression
  110. Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 tips to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease
  111. Mayo Clinic Minute: Alzheimer's disease risk and lifestyle
  112. Mayo Clinic Minute: Avoid opioids for chronic pain
  113. Mayo Clinic Minute: Be careful not to pop pain pills
  114. Mayo Clinic Minute: Do not share pain medication
  115. Mayo Clinic Minute: New definition of Alzheimer's changes
  116. Mayo Clinic Minute: Prevent migraines with magnetic stimulation
  117. Mayo Clinic Minute: Restless legs syndrome in kids
  118. Mayo Clinic Minute: Weathering migraines
  119. Mayo Clinic Minute: Women and Alzheimer's Disease
  120. Medication overuse headaches
  121. Meditation
  122. Memory loss: When to seek help
  123. Mental health
  124. Mental health providers: Tips on finding one
  125. Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness
  126. Mental illness
  127. Migraine
  128. Migraine FAQs
  129. Migraine medicines and antidepressants
  130. Migraine treatment: Can antidepressants help?
  131. Migraines and gastrointestinal problems: Is there a link?
  132. Migraines and Vertigo
  133. Migraines: Are they triggered by weather changes?
  134. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
  135. Mindfulness exercises
  136. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  137. Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?
  138. Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
  139. New Alzheimers Research
  140. Nicotine addiction
  141. Nicotine dependence
  142. Occipital nerve stimulation: Effective migraine treatment?
  143. Ocular migraine: When to seek help
  144. Opioid stewardship: What is it?
  145. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
  146. Pain and depression: Is there a link?
  147. Pancreatic cancer
  148. Pancreatic Cancer Survivor
  149. Perimenopause
  150. Pituitary tumors
  151. Polymyalgia rheumatica
  152. Poppy seed tea: Beneficial or dangerous?
  153. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
  154. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  155. Prescription drug abuse
  156. Prescription sleeping pills: What's right for you?
  157. Progressive supranuclear palsy
  158. Psychotherapy
  159. Quit-smoking products
  160. Reducing the discomfort of hidradenitis suppurativa: Self-care tips
  161. Restless legs syndrome
  162. Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease?
  163. Schizoaffective disorder
  164. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
  165. Seasonal affective disorder treatment: Choosing a light box
  166. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  167. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  168. Sleep tips
  169. Soy: Does it worsen hypothyroidism?
  170. Staying active with hidradenitis suppurativa
  171. Stress symptoms
  172. Suicide grief
  173. Sundowning: Late-day confusion
  174. Support groups
  175. Surgery for hidradenitis suppurativa
  176. Symptom Checker
  177. Tapering off opioids: When and how
  178. Thyroid peroxidase antibody test: What is it?
  179. Tianeptine: Is safe use possible?
  180. Tinnitus and antidepressants
  181. Tobacco cravings
  182. Transcranial magnetic stimulation
  183. Traumatic brain injury
  184. Treating hidradenitis suppurativa with antibiotics and hormones
  185. Treating hidradenitis suppurativa: Explore your options
  186. Treatment of parathyroid disease at Mayo Clinic
  187. Treatment-resistant depression
  188. Tricyclic antidepressants
  189. Understanding the difference between dementia types
  190. Vagus nerve stimulation
  191. Valerian: A safe and effective herbal sleep aid?
  192. Vascular dementia
  193. Video: Alzheimer's drug shows early promise
  194. Video: Vagus nerve stimulation
  195. Vitamin B-12 and depression
  196. Vitamin C and mood
  197. What are opioids and why are they dangerous?
  198. What are the signs and symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa?
  199. What is a migraine? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  200. What is depression? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.
  201. What is pancreatic cancer? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  202. What is thirdhand smoke, and why is it a concern?
  203. Wilson's disease
  204. Xylazine
  205. Young-onset Alzheimer's