Male Depression

Young boys are taught to suppress their emotions and instead they use their body to express their unconscious feelings. His body often becomes the vehicle for performances that lift his self-esteem. Not only does society frown upon boys and men talking about their feelings of vulnerability and inadequacy, but it also indoctrinates our young males that only women should be bothered about their physical appearance. Boys and men who do focus on their appearance are often viewed as being vain, narcissistic or 'feminine'.

Males find it extremely difficult to seek help when they are aware that their disordered eating habits have become uncontrollable. One of the most common symptoms of eating disorders is depression. Over half the males with Muscle Dysmorphia have suffered from major depression; studies at Cornell University found that 54% of all men with eating disorders were diagnosed as clinically depressed.

As social anxiety becomes more apparent during puberty and adolescence there is an increase in feelings of depression. Some of the signs of depression in boys include:

·        lack of concentration

·        difficulty sleeping

·        weight gain/loss - eating disorders

·        feelings of despondency

·        thoughts of suicide

·        memory loss

·        irritability

·        headaches, backaches, digestive troubles

·        reactivity pessimism...among others

It is interesting to note that 10% of children under 12 years of age have suffered from a depressive episode. Depression is one of the most common issues that adolescents deal with and it affects teenagers regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. A depressed child will show characteristics similar to those of adults but there tends to be more self-blame, self-criticism and a generally poorer self-concept.

A serious depressive episode in adolescence can indicate the onset of severe and recurrent unipolar depression (35% of cases), or bipolar disorder (48% of cases).

Common myths around adolescent depression:

·        it's normal, we all feel down at times

·        society is causing kids to become depressed, angry and anxious

·        it's not that bad - stop exaggerating

·        I would know if my child was depressed

·        he prefers his own company

·        he just needs to pull himself together

·        antidepressants are harmful

It is interesting to note that teenagers' depressive symptoms are often overlooked or missed by teachers, resulting in 70-80% of depressed adolescents not receiving any form of treatment for their depression. Admittedly, your teenager is able to use defences against his depression, often without him being aware of it.

Sublimation and denial being the most common methods. He keeps himself busy with activities or sport and simply does not allow himself to take cognisance of the fact that he is feeling pain.

Teenage boys will often use dissociation of affect to repress his feelings; a mild form of dissociation that may seem cold and callous when he expresses no emotion. Introjection allows the child to internalize every piece of incoming information as negative - he blames himself for everything.

It is imperative to note that children and adolescents do not necessarily experience the same benefits from antidepressant medication as their adult counterparts.