Anecdotally there are more prescriptions for anti-depressants being filled at the moment than most other medications. It would be interesting to see if there's a study being done on the gender balance of those filling the prescriptions / being treated for depression. In an article in the "Irish Examiner" on 17th September 2009, Conall Ó Fátharta reported that:
"RECESSION depression among Irish men is on the rise as people struggle with unemployment
and changed financial circumstances in the midst of the downturn."
In the article, Edel Fortune, clinical manager of the wellness and recovery centre of St. Patrick's Hospital commented that men do not sem to have the same support structure as women. They tend not to want to talk about it - they don't want to be "the odd one out". According to Aware, which provides support for those suffering from Dpression, there are over 400,000 sufferers in Ireland. They say that women are three to four times more likely to suffer from depression than men. This may well be the case, but there is also a school of thought that says that a lot more men suffer from depression, but because they don't seek help, it's not reported and therefore not included in the statistics.
These statistics are stark and highlight the need for a greater emphasis on mental health services, particularly during recessionary times. When money gets tight and jobs are lost, mental health becomes less of a concern. Yet it is exactly at this time that more people need support from these services. While "Recession Depression" is recieving some coverage, it is important to note that this illness is quite pervasive and just because someone still has their job, and is "doing quite well" in financial terms, doesn't mean they are immune.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I recently attended the funeral of a man who died by suicide. Almost everyone there was shocked to be at his funeral. Most people spoke in terms of a "fun guy" who was great craic. This is often the case. Very few people were aware that he was suffering from Depression. This is yet another common trait. Certainly in Ireland there is a stigma attached to depression and other mental illnesses. It's not talked about, quite often brushed under the carpet or ignored. Men, in particular, are in denial when they are suffering from this condition.
Because men don't seek help, the duty of care falls to those around them. In Ireland we are great at making sure our friends and colleagues are OK if they've had a physical illness. They take time off work, they are encouraged to go to the doctor / physio etc. However, we are also great at turning a blind eye to anything else. If our colleague / friend / brother / dad / husband or lover is mentally or emotionally "not himself" we tend to "leave well enough alone". Unfortunately, too many of us have stood at the graveside of friends and family and listened to people saying "If only I knew". We need to make it our business to know. If someone seems "out of sorts" - they probably are. Why not ask if they're ok. Make sure they know that there's someone around who can listen - or point them in the right direction. Over 400 Irish people died by suicide last year - actual deaths, not attempts. Suicide has touched everyones life. Depression and suicide are linked. Ask the question! Isn't it better to have a row about being nosey and interfering than to wonder "If only?"
It is important to know what to look for. The following are the symptoms cited in cases of a major depressive episode. These normally develop over a period of a few days / weeks. Diagnostcally 5 of these should be present in the same two week period. For a major depressive episode, symptoms should be present on a daily basis.
Because men don't seek help, the duty of care falls to those around them. In Ireland we are great at making sure our friends and colleagues are OK if they've had a physical illness. They take time off work, they are encouraged to go to the doctor / physio etc. However, we are also great at turning a blind eye to anything else. If our colleague / friend / brother / dad / husband or lover is mentally or emotionally "not himself" we tend to "leave well enough alone". Unfortunately, too many of us have stood at the graveside of friends and family and listened to people saying "If only I knew". We need to make it our business to know. If someone seems "out of sorts" - they probably are. Why not ask if they're ok. Make sure they know that there's someone around who can listen - or point them in the right direction. Over 400 Irish people died by suicide last year - actual deaths, not attempts. Suicide has touched everyones life. Depression and suicide are linked. Ask the question! Isn't it better to have a row about being nosey and interfering than to wonder "If only?"
It is important to know what to look for. The following are the symptoms cited in cases of a major depressive episode. These normally develop over a period of a few days / weeks. Diagnostcally 5 of these should be present in the same two week period. For a major depressive episode, symptoms should be present on a daily basis.
Depressed mood (such as feeling sad, empty)
Markedly diminished pleasure in all (or almost all) activities
Insomnia (or hypersomnia)
Increase / decrease in appetite or significant weight loss
Fatigue / loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness
Excessive or inappropriate guilt
Diminished ability to think, concentrate, and/or take decisions
Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, having a suicide plan or making a suicide attempt.
As R.E.M say in their song "Everybody Hurts":
"When the day is long and the night,
the night is yours alone,
When you're sure you've had enough
of this life, well hang on
Don't let yourself go, 'cause everybody cries
and everybody hurts sometimes"
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