A 2017 study by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicates that at least 17.3 million Americans are experiencing clinical depression. Although depression and anxiety are frequent and severe mental conditions that won’t improve, men are less likely to visit a mental health treatment center than women.
Men often don’t seek support when experiencing hardships; they believe society expects them to be self-reliant, sturdy, and able to handle pain and take control of situations. As such, it’s essential to recognize that depression and anxiety are not weaknesses but medical conditions. Effective management and treatment are crucial.
Anxiety Symptoms in Men
There is more to anxiety than butterflies in your stomach or sweaty palms. Anxiety symptoms include a severe feeling of fear, worry, and a looming disaster that affects your ability to live a healthy life.
Common physical symptoms of anxiety include:
- Choking sensations or shortness of breath
- Panic attacks, restlessness, and agitation
- Excessive sweating
- Vertigo and dizziness
- Insomnia
- Racing or pounding heart
- Muscle tension
Depression and anxiety both have physical and emotional signs. It’s essential to visit a men’s anxiety treatment center as early as possible before the condition worsens.
Common psychological symptoms of anxiety include:
- Excessive vigilance towards danger and fear of losing control
- Excessive worry about what might go wrong
- Lack of concentration
- Catastrophic thoughts
- Absent-mindedness
- Edginess and irritability
Depression Symptoms in Men
Depression is a severe mental health condition that goes beyond the normal reaction to life’s challenges and sorrows. It can alter your reasoning, feelings, and normal operations in daily life. Depression interferes with appetite, sleep, work-life balance, and even relationships.
While most people associate depression with hopelessness and sadness, it can also manifest itself in anger or irritability, substance abuse, and unnecessary risk-taking in men.
Common physical symptoms among those in a men’s depression treatment center include:
- Exhaustion or lethargy
- Lack of sex drive
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Restlessness and change in sleeping patterns
- Change in appetite
Common emotional symptoms of depression include:
- Sadness or nervousness
- Losing pleasure or interest in activities
- Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness
- Suicidal thoughts
- Anger, violence, and irritability
- Taking unnecessary risks
- Becoming withdrawn and isolated
Treatment of Depression and Anxiety
It’s crucial to treat both depression and anxiety together for overall enhanced well-being. There are several treatment strategies that mental health rehab centers use to manage these conditions.
Antidepressant Medications
A mental health expert can help with medication management and prescribe some drugs to treat both conditions simultaneously. The Anxiety And Depression Association Of America (ADAA) revels that medications for anxiety and depression include Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Benzodiazepines, Tricyclic antidepressants, and Ketamine.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This treatment technique can equip you with the skills for managing fear, depression, and anxiety conditions by addressing the root causes. During therapy, recovering addicts also learn how to take control of negative emotions.
Exercise
Experts concur that regular exercise can make you physically fit. Additionally, physical activity enables your body to release feel-good hormones, which can help ease the effects of mental health disorders.
Relaxation Techniques
Many people manage the symptoms of mental illnesses and stress-related health problems by meditating. Other popular relaxation techniques include Tai Chi and yoga.
A Final Word
If mental illness is making you have suicidal thoughts and agitation, visit a mental health expert immediately. A psychiatrist will administer treatment for your needs regarding depression and anxiety disorders, according to the specifics of your condition.
