One in eight men will suffer from depression, and one in five men will experience anxiety during their lifetime. Women are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than men. It is also less common for them to discuss it. This increases the chance that their anxiety and depression will go untreated. Untreated depression is a major risk factor for suicide.
Men who experience anxiety symptoms
Anxiety can be more than feeling sweaty palms or butterflies in the stomach. Anxiety symptoms can include persistent feelings of fear, worry, and impending doom. These symptoms can make it difficult to work, maintain relationships, and get a good night's rest. Anxiety symptoms may include:
•Racing heart or pounding your chest
•excessive sweating
•Tension in the muscles
•Restlessness or agitation
•vertigo and dizziness
•Shortness of breath, choking sensations
•insomnia
•Panic Attacks.
Anxiety may be expressed as:
•Frequent worry about what could go wrong
•Feelings of fear
•Concentration problems
•avoidance
•Catastrophic thinking
•irritability and edginess
•Being overly alert towards danger
•Absent-mindedness
•Fear of losing control
Men can get treatment for depression and anxiety
Your doctor can help you determine if you are experiencing anxiety or depression. You can also be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist. Any one of these professionals can assist you in creating an action plan. They even prescribe you some medication for anxiety and depression.
Depression and anxiety are just like other conditions. There are ways to manage and treat them.
It is worth making lifestyle changes such as spending more time with friends and family, regular exercise and getting enough rest, as well as maintaining a healthy eating pattern. These are all great ways to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.
For mild to moderate anxiety or depression, psychological treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy are highly effective. This type of treatment may be recommended by your doctor.
Antidepressant medication may also be an option for some people. Both anxiety and depression can be treated with antidepressants. It usually takes at least two weeks for them to start working. Your doctor may take some time to determine the right medication for you.
Effective Medications
There are four major types of medication for anxiety and depression that can be used to treat anxiety disorders.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
SSRIs reduce symptoms by blocking certain nerve cells from the brain from reabsorbing or reuptaking serotonin. This makes serotonin more available which can improve mood. SSRIs (citalopram and escitalopram as well as fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline), generally have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. Side effects that are common include sleepiness, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and sleepiness. Although they are effective for treating all anxiety disorders, OCD treatment requires higher doses.
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
The serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI, class (venlafaxine and duloxetine) is notable for a dual mechanism of action: increasing the levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine by inhibiting their reabsorption into cells in the brain. Side effects can occur as with all medications. These include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, insomnia, headaches, weight gain, and minor increases in blood pressure. These medications are as effective as SSRIs and are therefore considered a first-line treatment to treat anxiety disorders. However, they are not recommended for obsessive compulsive disorders (SSRIs) as the preferred first-line treatment.
Benzodiazepines
These drugs are often used to manage anxiety short-term and as an adjunct treatment in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. The benzodiazepines (alprazolams, clonazepams, diazepams, diazepams, and lorazepam), are very effective in relaxing and reducing anxiety symptoms. To achieve the same effects over a longer period of time, you may need to increase your doses. This could lead to dependence and tolerance.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Many doctors prefer tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline and imipramine) because of concerns about the long-term effects of benzodiazepines. They are effective in treating some anxiety disorders (but not Social Anxiety Disorder), but can have serious side effects like orthostatic hypotension (dropping in blood pressure while standing), constipation and urinary retention, dry eyes, and blurry sight.
Side effects can be reported to your doctor, even if the cause is not clear. You should not stop taking medication without first consulting your physician. Sudden discontinuation of medication may pose other health risks.
Your doctor will only direct you to take medication. However, they may not be able to resolve all anxiety disorders.