Nearly one in 10 men experience depression or anxiety, but less than half will receive treatment and more than four times as many men as women die by suicide every year, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA). June is Men’s Health Month and a good time to talk about the importance of regular exams to address issues before they become serious.
“Men tend to skip regular health checkups and screenings and that often means there are missed opportunities,” says SSM Health Wisconsin Regional VP of Ambulatory Clinical Programs Dr. David Ottenbaker. “You may be experiencing depression and could benefit from an antidepressant, but needlessly continue to struggle if you aren’t seeing a doctor.”
Dr. Landon Shea, a family medicine resident at SSM Health Monroe Hospital, agrees and says men don’t seek care soon enough.
 |
“Working in a rural hospital with a large farming community, I would definitely agree mental health problems are underdiagnosed,” says Dr. Shea. “This isn't because of a lack of trying, but rather due to the lifestyle farmers are accustomed to.”
Dr. Shea explained that farmers do have a significant risk for depression, but it can be hard to identify even with proper screening because men with physical jobs like farming assume fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, and a persistent feeling of not wanting to get up in the morning are normal. He also notes that it can be difficult to convince patients to start taking medicine after finally discussing depression.
The CDC lists the top 10 leading causes of death in men with suicide ranking 8th. The symptoms of depression can vary significantly. There may be noticeable changes in mood, energy level or appetite. Other signs may include difficulty concentrating or feeling restless and irritable.
“Escapist behavior, such as spending a lot of time at work or on sports, can be a symptom, but there can be physical symptoms too like headaches or digestive problems,” says Dr. Ottenbaker. “Some people misuse alcohol or drugs when they’re depressed. There may be risky behavior, such as reckless driving. The important thing to remember is effective treatments are available, but you can’t get them if you aren’t seeing your doctor and sharing openly about your experiences.”
Dr. Shea says he sees a mindset of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” in his patients, which can lead to heartbreaking situations.
“I sincerely believe men don't seek care soon enough,” says Shea. “This delay in care leads to unnecessary pain and suffering. And while this may continue to be the case for years to come, I'm still going to do everything I can to ensure the best possible care for each and every patient I see.”
Some men have difficulty being vulnerable or asking for any kind of assistance. Taking the first step to get treatment for depression is important and can lead to a more joyful, fulfilling life.
Find a provider or learn more about the full spectrum of Men’s Health services at SSM Health. You can also take the SSM Health Depression Health Risk Assessment to find out if you should be screened for depression or the SSM Health Anxiety Health Risk Assessment to find out if you could be suffering from anxiety.
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please get help immediately. You can call 911 or call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
