Depression in men and women can seem much different than it appears in women, because men and women respond to depression in different ways. For example, men are more likely to become irritable and angry and women are more likely to feel extremely sad when depressed. According to the Mayo Clinic, men are more likely to resist treatment and deny that they're depressed, which can have disastrous results, because men are more likely to commit suicide than women.
Violence and Abuse
When men become depressed, they may find themselves becoming angry for small reasons and always feeling irritable. They may end up taking out their anger and irritability on the people that they love, friends and strangers. For example, a man who's depressed and not receiving treatment may begin to emotionally abuse his wife by calling her names and embarrassing her, start arguments with his best friend and pick fights in the local bar over a spilled drink. This can lead to problems with the law and the loss of family members and friends.
Escape
Men are more likely than women to try to escape from their depression by concentrating heavily on work or a hobby. For instance, a man who is depressed may stay at work well past dinner even though his boss doesn't require it or may spend all of his free time playing a video game until he completes it. Instead of focusing on the feelings and emotions, he tries to avoid them through activities. This can result in the end of marriages and lost time with children.
Risky Behavior
According to the Mayo Clinic, one symptom of male depression is risky behavior such as driving while drunk. Men can put themselves and others in danger when they aren't being properly treated for depression. They may have unprotected sex, use illegal drugs and gamble away their life savings.
All of these risky behaviors can impact one's family members, friends and strangers. For instance, a man with depression may have unprotected sex with a woman he meets in a bar one night, get a STD such as herpes and pass it on to wife. These risky behaviors can cost a man years in prison, self-respect and respect of others, his job and more.
Suicide
When men participate in risky behaviors, it's a form of passive suicide because they could kill themselves when driving drunk or overdosing on heroin. However, men are more likely to commit suicide than women, because they are more likely to use deadly force. For example, a woman might take pills to kill herself and be found before she dies, whereas a man might shoot himself in the head leaving no room for error. Suicide impacts all family members and friends, and can result in feelings of guilt and shame and cause irreparable damage.
