Dealing with a chronic medical condition is difficult enough, but it's even more challenging when someone also has to cope with depression symptoms. Anyone can become depressed, but those who have a disease or illness may be at an increased risk of developing the condition. In addition, depression can worsen the symptoms of the illness or injury, leading to even more depressive symptoms.
Causes of Depression in Men
“Often, depression will be associated with other medical conditions,” says Dr. John Oliffe, an RN and HealthChoicesFirst.com partner. “For example, if a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer, and endures some of the challenges around that, such as incontinence and impotence, lots of grief and loss can occur, and as a result a reactive depression can emerge.”
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While it's normal for a person to feel overwhelmed or sad when they are diagnosed with a medical condition, clinical depression is much more serious. Statistics show that having both a mood disorder and a medical condition can increase the chances that a person will attempt and complete suicide. This suicide risk is often related to incurable or chronic conditions such as AIDS, spinal cord injury or certain types of cancer.
Older men may experience clinical depression due to medical conditions related to aging. Depression isn't a normal part of aging, but as seniors deal with health conditions such as heart disease or cancer, they may feel more isolated and this can trigger depression. Some medications for seniors' health conditions also list depression as a side effect.
“Many times when we talk about depression as standing alone, it's important to note that it's actually often associated with other illnesses and other circumstances,” says Dr. Oliffe.
Recognizing Depression Symptoms in Men
Patients and their family members may not recognize the symptoms of clinical depression in men, believing they are a normal part of living with a serious illness. However, it's important to be aware of the symptoms, and talk to your physician about effective treatments. Depression treatment can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life, even if you're suffering from a chronic disease.