The Depression Guide's Article Competition

The Depression Guide's 2006 DG Popular Article Competition

Depression Guide is proud to announce the 2006 DG Popular Article Competition. Compete & Win. Don't miss your chance to win in the depression-guide competition exclusively for our members.

Enter today for your chance to win cash prizes.
http://www.depression-guide.com/contest.html

Best of Luck!
Teena
Admin

Welcome to our DG Addiction & Recovery room!

Hello, everybody, and welcome to the new Addiction and Substance Abuse room here.

I'm really excited that we now have a room of our own. In my experience, this condition is a real challenge to live with, and I'm so glad we can come together in here and support one another, talk about how meds do or don't work for us, and compare notes on how we're learning to cope.

So, pull up a chair, grab a cup of Coffee, and make yourselves at home!

Grace & peace,
Admin
Teena

Depression In Men

Depression In Men
Research Summary
Dr. Dean Edell Reports

BACKGROUND: About 6 million men in the United States are diagnosed with depression each year. While women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with the illness, some researchers say many men suffer in silence because of society's stigmas and stereotypes. In fact, researchers say men are four-times more likely to commit suicide than women.

THE STIGMA: Experts say men are not as likely as women to get help for their depression. Terrence Real, a psychotherapist at the Harvard-affiliated Family Institute of Cambridge, says societal stigmas do not allow men to express their feelings, which discourages them from getting help. He says, "Most guys are about as likely to get help for depression as they are to ask for directions and for much the same reason. It is unmanly to be vulnerable. It is unmanly to need help." Real also says depressed men have to deal with two stigmas - that of having a mental illness and that of being considered "feminine."

DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS: Real says symptoms of depression can be different in men. He says they are sometimes obvious -- showing up as signs of sadness, trouble sleeping, changes in appetite and fatigue. However, other times, depression in men can be less obvious when the behaviors become the symptoms. Behaviors like drinking, drugs, gambling or spending too much time at work could all be signs of depression. Psychologist William Pollack, Ph.D., from Harvard Medical School, says it's these unexpected behaviors that allow depression to go undetected by family, friends and even doctors. He says, "Often, someone says, 'Oh, he is just a man, or he is a real SOB, or he is a real pain to be with,' when in fact, he is in the first stages if not the second stages of clinical depression."

TREATMENT: Researchers say when men seek treatment, a successful recovery is likely. Real says, "Depression is one of psychology's great success stories. About 90 percent of people who get help for depression report substantial relief." Medications and talk therapy are the two of the most common treatments for depression. Some ways to help men seek these successful treatments include:

Confrontation -- Sam Cochran, Ph.D., from the University of Iowa, says the best way to convince a man to get help is to simply confront him. He says, "Hit it head-on, you know, say, 'I am worried about how you are feeling or how you are. You have been under a lot of emotional stress lately.'"

Spousal Intervention -- Real says women should not underestimate their power in helping men with depression. He says if a man refuses to seek therapy, his wife should suggest going to couple's therapy together, which will at least get him to talk to a professional. Real says, "I think that one of the great unrecognized forces in men's health is women. Most of the men who come to see me are brought. They are what I call 'wife-mandated referrals,' and my message to women is to stand up to depression. Yes, it may be rocky getting him there, but once he is there and properly treated, everybody's life will be better."

Talk about this story

Welcome to the Anxiety and Panic Room

Welcome to the room! We are here to help each other as we deal with problems associated with panic and anxiety disorders. Please feel comfortable to discuss any concerns you are having.

I hope you find the basic information you need to get some idea what anxiety disorders are about. I tried to get the information right out of the references that are used by the American Psychiatric Association, so you have some of the best criteria to base your own symptoms and findings on. I hope this will be helpful to you. It cleared up a lot of misinformation for me. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me! I'll try to get back to you in a timely manner.

Sincerely,
Admin
Teena

Welcome to the Manic Depression-Bipolar Forum

Welcome to the Manic Depression-Bipolar Forum! We're so glad you've come! Please feel free to look around and post on the threads that are already here. If you do not find a thread that meets your needs and you have questions that need to be asked, please feel free to start a new thread. Please follow all Forum TOS Rules when Posting.

Grab a cup of coffee and sit back and enjoy yourself. Get to know each other. We'll soon see that we can unite and make this disorder work WITH us, not against us!

Wishing you love and laughter,
Your admin,
Teena