Depression and suicide, Men are at risk

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Depression isn't just a bad mood, a rough patch, or the blues. It's an emotional disturbance that affects your whole body and overall health. In effect, depression proves the mind-body connection. Brain chemicals and stress hormones are out of balance. Sleep, appetite, and energy level are disturbed. Research even suggests men with depression are more likely to develop heart disease. Experts previously thought depression affected far more women than men. But that may just be men's tendency to hide depresses feelings, or express them in ways different than women's. Men are also less likely to seek help for depression. The result can be tragic. Women attempt suicide more often, but men are more successful at completing it. Suicide is the eight leading cause of death among all men; for young men it's higher. Most men and women respond well to depression treatment with medications, therapy or both. If you think you might be depressed, reach out to your doctor or someone close to you and seek help.