Men less likely to recognise, seek treatment for depression

Dubai - There is an impression that anxiety and depression is mostly common among women.

Men and women both experience depression but their symptoms can be very different. Men are less likely than women to recognise, talk about, and seek treatment, yet depression affects a large number of men.
The medical wing of Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) has started organising a series of mental health awareness workshop in collaboration with the Pulse Therapy and Learning Centre on its premises in Oud Metha. The initiative was dedicated to the Year of Zayed as it highlighted that mental health is the basic right of every one.
Dr Ameerah Shah, general secretary of the medical wing at the PAD, said: "We sensed that there was a greater need in the community for dealing with mental health issues. Many are not aware, or there are stigmas associated with mental health and how to identify and cope with it. So while one of our workshops was about identification of the issue, the second workshop was on how to handle the issue and prevent it."
Dr Shah also said that there is an impression that anxiety and depression is mostly common among women but men also find it equally hard to face these mental health issues. "Men are highly vulnerable to end their life than women, especially when it comes to severe anxiety and depression cases," she added.
Talking about how depression affects men, Ira Naeem, a clinical psycologist at the Pulse Therapy and Learning Centre, said: "Men who are depressed may appear to be angry or aggressive instead of melancholic, their families, friends and even doctors may not always recognise it as symptoms of depression."
Defining depression, Naeem said: "Life is all about ups and downs. Sadness is something we all experience. It is a normal reaction to difficult times in life and usually passes with a little time. When a person has depression, it interferes with daily life and normal functioning. It can cause pain for both the person with depression and those who care about him or her. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks."
Pointing out at various factors that play role in depression, Naeem said: "The factors that play a role in depression can be genetic or depend on brain biology and chemistry, and negative life events such as trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, an early childhood experience, or any stressful situation."
Dr Shah said that as the workshops progress they will focus on children such as identifying children who are not doing well at schools due to mental pressures. The centre's psychologists will help us in assessing the children.
Over 100 men and women attended the workshop where alongside the awareness lecture of the psychologist they were also shown documentaries on depression and anxiety. They also filled up self-assessment forms that they could evaluate themselves and that would show them the level of their mental wellness.

Symptoms of depression