More than 6 million men in the US experience depression every year [1]. While rates of depression among women are higher, it’s believed that male diagnoses go largely underreported.
Men are more likely to deny having mental health struggles and avoid seeking treatment [2]. These tendencies have a serious effect on men’s well-being and are part of the reason why male suicide rates are four times higher than that of women [3].
Knowing the signs of depression in men isn’t just informative; it can help save lives.
Male-Specific Signs Of Depression
Depression can affect any gender; however, there are certain symptoms that manifest most strongly in men. It’s not clear why these variations exist, but some research suggests that it’s due to sex-based hormonal factors in the brain [4]. Social factors also play a role — perceptions of masculinity that discourage men from displaying emotions could mean that they express depressive symptoms differently.
Signs of depression that are more common among men are sometimes referred to as male depressive syndrome. These include [5]:
- Problems in romantic, family, and friend relationships
- Overworking or overdedicating time to hobbies to avoid situations
- Alcohol or substance use
- Violent or angry outbursts
- Headaches, body aches, digestive issues
- Risk-taking behaviors
Signs of depression that both men and women display are:
- Pervasive sadness or hopelessness
- Fatigue
- Oversleeping or insomnia
- Inability to connect with experiences that previously bought them joy
Common Causes Of Depression Among Men
The causes of depression are a combination of biological, genetic, environmental, and psychological factors [6]. Among men, some common causes of depression include [7]:
- Losing a job
- A relationship ending
- Stress
- Health problems
- Being the victim of abuse
Both men and women are more likely to develop depression if they have [8]:
- Lived through abuse, severe loss or stressful events
- A family member with depression
- A chronic medical condition
- Regularly consumed alcohol or drugs
- An anxious personality
Depression can develop even if none of the above causes occur. Not having a specific trigger can make depression harder to identify and accept that treatment is required. Loneliness can increase the risk of developing depression, too [9]. Currently, a quarter of men in the US ages 15-34 report feeling lonely [10] — part of a wider ‘male loneliness epidemic’ that may make men susceptible to developing depression.
Men’s Relationship With Mental Health
Generally speaking, men have a complicated relationship with mental health. Research shows that men can’t always tell depression from stress and that they don’t recognize when symptoms are severe enough to require medical treatment [11].
Men are also less likely to seek help for mental health than women [12]. Conformity to masculine social norms has repeatedly been identified as a barrier for men to seek and access mental health support [13]. The notion that getting help is a sign of weakness means many men fear being judged when confronting a possible depression diagnosis.
Even when men do seek mental health support, they face unique barriers. Reports show that when men receive mental health care, they feel providers underestimate their needs [14]. On top of that, studies reveal that mental health providers may misdiagnose depression in men due to their own gender biases [15], in particular stigma around traditional masculinity.
Other possible reasons men dismiss or diminish their mental health are:
- Poor knowledge of mental health
- Strong feelings of shame
- The medical field’s lack of understanding of male depressive syndrome
- Stereotypes and biases from medical professionals
- Insufficient male-centered services
Supporting Men Suffering From Depression
Depression is treatable and can end. Men who display signs of depression may need support to acknowledge their symptoms and seek appropriate care. Depression can cause people to isolate, so it’s important to stay connected with anyone going through it.
Try the following steps in an initial conversation to help someone you think may be experiencing depression:
- Choose a calm moment when there are no distractions; some men prefer parallel conversations (e.g. side-by-side on a walk or while driving)
- Ask them how they’re doing and let them answer at their own pace
- Say that you’ve noticed some signs of depression and reassure them that you want to offer support
- Gently tell them that depression is common but serious and requires treatment
- Suggest small possible next steps and reinforce that you’re available to help as much as they feel comfortable with
Untreated depression can get worse and deeply damage a person’s quality of life. Treatment for depression is readily available and is proven to be effective [16]. Getting help is an incredibly strong act.
Mental Health Treatment For Men at Colorado Mental Health Services
At Colorado Mental Health Services, we believe that everyone should have access to high-quality mental health care. Our programs are run by a team of licensed professionals who offer expert care to anyone experiencing depression and other mental health disorders. We operate with empathy and professionalism and personalize all care to each person’s needs.
We use evidence-backed therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) alongside wellness activities to help people heal. We don’t discriminate and respect people’s privacy at all times.
Our treatment center is located in Lakewood, CO, and has state-of-the-art facilities to make you feel secure and comfortable.
Take the first step to stability. If you or someone else is showing signs of depression, speak with our admissions team.
FAQs
What are the signs of depression for men?
Pervasive sadness or hopelessness, fatigue, oversleeping or insomnia, and an inability to feel joy are some of the signs of depression for both men and women. For men specifically, possible signs of depression are problems in relationships, overworking, alcohol or substance abuse, angry outbursts, and risk-taking behaviours.
How does depression often manifest itself in men?
Men are more likely to exhibit anger and irritability than women if they are suffering from depression. Perceptions of masculinity that discourage men from displaying emotions could be why they express depressive symptoms differently. Research also shows that men often can’t tell depression from stress, so they may display exacerbated signs of stress.
What causes depression in males?
Causes of depression in men (and women) are a combination of biological, genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Among men, common causes include losing a job, a relationship ending, stress, health problems, and being the victim of abuse.
Both men and women are more likely to develop depression if they have lived through abuse, have a family member with depression, have a chronic medical condition, regularly consume alcohol or drugs, or have an anxious personality.
What is the best treatment for male depression?
The best treatment for male depression is seeking professional medical care. Care usually involves a combination of evidence-backed therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and medications including antidepressants. Treatment helps men address triggers (if present) for depression and build coping skills.
Can a depressed person live a normal life?
A depressed person can live a normal life, but areas of their life will be impacted if depression goes untreated. Relationships, physical health, and work can all suffer as a result. Depending on the severity of the person’s depression, daily functioning may also be affected, making tasks like eating and exercising more challenging.
Sources
[1] Anxiety & Depression Association of America. (July 2026). Men’s Mental Health. adaa.org.
[2] Ogrodniczuk, J. Oliffe, J. (February 2011). Men and depression. Can Fam Physician. PubMed Central.
[3] CDC. (March 2025). Suicide Prevention. cdc.gov.
[4] Mohammadi, S. (April 2023). Brain-based Sex Differences in Depression: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Studies. Brain Imaging Behavior. PubMed Central.
[5] Mayo Clinic. (February 2024). Male depression: Understanding the issues. mayoclinic.org.
[6] Healthline (October 2024). Burnout or Depression? Here Is How to Know. healthline.com.
[7] Aguayo, F. (September 2022). Male depression and its symptoms: A qualitative study with Chilean adult men. Salud Colectiva. SciELO Public Health.
[8] Healthdirect. (December 2023). Depression in men. healthdirect.gov.au.
[9] Healthdirect. (July 2025). Loneliness and isolation. healthdirect.gov.au.
[10] American Institute For Boys and Men. (August 2025). Male loneliness and isolation: What the data shows. aibm.org.
[11] Cornish, E. et al. (December 2017). “They have said that I was slightly depressed but there are circumstances that bring that on”: How Middle-Aged and Older African American Men Describe Perceived Stress and Depression. Ethnicity & Disease. PubMed Central.
[12] Sagar-Ouriaghli, I. et al. (June 2019). Improving Mental Health Service Utilization Among Men: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of Behavior Change Techniques Within Interventions Targeting Help-Seeking. American Journal of Men’s Health. PubMed Central.
[13] Sheikh, A. et al. (July 2024). Why do young men not seek help for affective mental health issues? A systematic review of perceived barriers and facilitators among adolescent boys and young men. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. PubMed Central.
[14] Sharp, P. et al. (January 2022). “People say men don’t talk, well that’s bullshit”: A focus group study exploring challenges and opportunities for men’s mental health promotion. PLOS one. journals.plos.org.
[15] Addis, M. (August 2008). Gender And Depression in Men. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice. Wiley Online Library.
[16] Cuijpers, P. et al. (August 2023). Psychological treatment of depression: A systematic overview of a ‘Meta-Analytic Research Domain’. Journal of Affective Disorders. Volume 335. Sciencedirect.