What Are the Signs of Clinical Depression in Men?

Being depressed is one thing—an occasional feeling of loneliness or sadness, generally in response to a loss or something similarly tragic—but this is not considered clinical depression.

Clinical depression is when the feelings of sadness, loneliness or desperation worsen, and they do not go away. Not only that but they also prevent a person from leading an active life. For clinical depression, in men or women, it is extremely important that they seek treatment, since untreated depression can lead to worsening symptoms and ultimately in some cases can lead to suicide.

Signs of Depression

The signs of clinical depression are on the whole no different in men than they are in women. According to the US National Institutes of Health, they are:

• Problems concentrating
• Problems remembering details and making decisions
• Unexplained fatigue
• Decreased energy levels
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
• Sense of hopelessness
• Extreme and enduring pessimism
• Insomnia
• Excessive sleeping
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable (this includes sex)
• Changes in eating habits (from overeating to loss of appetite)
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that treatments do not ease
• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

The preceding list itemizes the more familiar signs of clinical depression, but it is not a complete list. The reader should consult a qualified health professional to determine whether he should be treated for clinical depression.