When you think of depression, you probably think of a person unable to move from their bed and plagued by thoughts of despair and misery.
But some experts say this mental health condition, which affects 21 million American adults, can cause a much wider range of symptoms than most people are aware of.
Surprisingly, part of this is determined by your gender.
Olesya Luraschi, a Harvard-trained psychologist and leadership coach, says the traditional signs of depression that most people recognize are primarily seen in women.
Male depression generally “looks completely different” than female depression, he said in a TikTok with more than 5 million views.
Because men are raised to be tough, rather than express sadness when they are depressed, they are more likely to withdraw from their social networks and hobbies, engage in work, and have angry outbursts.
In contrast, women are more likely to experience concentration difficulties, sleep problems and sadness.
In men, Ms. Luraschi said“There is generally a denial of pain, so in male depression men will not talk about sadness or their pain.”
Other experts agree.
‘We have taught children not to cry; then instead of crying, they get angry and threaten. Dr. Andrew Angelinosaid the chair of Psychiatry at Howard County General Hospital.
Robin Williams struggled with depression throughout his life, his wife, Susan Schneider Williams, shared in a 2016 article in the journal Neurology.
Although women are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression as men, many experts say cases in men often go undetected as they are more likely to avoid seeking help.
Men are four times more likely to die by suicide. According to Johns HopkinsThey are also responsible for eight out of ten suicides in the United States.
One high-profile man who has struggled with mental illness is beloved actor Robin Williams, according to his wife, Susan Schneider Williams.
After being diagnosed with an aggressive form of dementia called Lewy body disease, Mr. Williams took his own life.
He Differences in depression between the sexes can be explained by social differences and some biological differences.
Because women face hormonal fluctuations related to their menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause, they are more likely to have disrupted sleep, mood swings and low self-esteem than men, according to Mayo Clinic Staff.
This could make women with depression more likely to express sadness, have energy problems, and have difficulty concentrating.
Men have less estrogen in their system and tend to be more affected by hormones they produce in greater amounts, such as testosterone, which can drive aggression, impulsivity and feelings of anger.
One of the most common ways men manifest depression has to do with a gradual change in routine and isolation, Luraschi said. He added that once they feel isolated, men may begin to burst into angry outbursts because they find it easier to express than sadness.
“Anger is one of the only socially acceptable negative emotions that men are often conditioned to feel,” she said.
For example, a depressed man might begin to spend more and more time at work, withdrawing from his friends and family.
“This is very common, so if you see it in yourself or other people, know that you are not alone,” Luraschi said. “It’s good to know that male depression is nothing like female depression.”
