Recognising depression in men

Depression can affect anyone - but for many men, it goes unrecognised or unspoken. Whether it’s feeling persistently low, withdrawing from people, feeling more irritable than normal or losing interest in things you usually enjoy, it’s important to know that support is available.

At TALKWORKS, we offer a range of talking therapy options to treat conditions like depression. If you are struggling, you don’t have to face it alone.

Why depression in men often goes unnoticed

Some men may find it difficult to recognise or talk about how they’re feeling. Society often puts pressure on men to appear strong, self-reliant or unaffected - which can make it harder to open up or ask for help.

Instead of showing sadness or low mood, depression in men might appear as:

• Irritability or anger
  
• Avoiding social situations
  
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
  
• Relying more on alcohol or drugs
  
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

These can all be signs of depression, even if they don’t match what people typically expect.

What are the signs of depression in men?

Everyone experiences depression differently, but common signs of depression in men may include:

• Feeling tired all the time or lacking motivation
• Changes in mood, including feeling angry or frustrated
  
• Losing interest in work, hobbies or relationships
  
• Feeling hopeless, numb or disconnected
  
• Changes in appetite, weight or sleep patterns
  
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
  

If any of these feel familiar, know that help is available - and that you don’t have to go through it alone.

How TALKWORKS can help

At TALKWORKS we offer a range of support, including counselling for depression and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to help you to understand what you are going through and find a way forward. Everything available through our service is free, confidential and delivered by trained NHS professionals who won’t judge or pressure you.

You don’t need to be at breaking point before you get help. Many of the people we help are feeling ‘off’ or just not like themselves - and talking to someone is often the first step towards feeling better.

Take the first step

If you are a man struggling with your mental health - or you’re concerned about someone else - TALKWORKS is here to help.

Adults age 18+ registered with a GP in Devon (excluding Plymouth which is covered by Plymouth Options) can refer themselves online or by calling the team on 0300 555 3344. To learn more about our service and the range of common mental health difficulties that we can support you with, please visit our how we can help you page.