The Chief Executive of the organisation Mind, Paul Farmer, believes that there a large numbers of men suffering from depression who are missing out on treatment. Males between 40 and 50 are the most at risk of committing suicide out of any demographic in the UK. Men within this demographic often are concerned with feeling worthless or hopeless, similar feelings to female sufferers, however they manifest themselves in a different way with men often becoming angry, aggressive and more animated.

Although there are high profile cases of male depression in the media such as the sectioning of Paul Gascoigne, the general problem among men still remains shrouded. Studies done by Mind have also shown that men can sometimes believe a doctor’s surgery to be a place that is highly feminised. This can sometimes lead to them either being uncomfortable when they visit, or in other cases, even deter them from visiting altogether.

Mind are currently working on the provision of all-male service groups as wherever these have been commissioned, there has been great success in diagnosing and managing male depression. Whilst the diagnostic criteria and treatment environment could be adjusted with relative ease, treatment will remain just as complex.

Popular ways to combat depression include the reduction of stress in your daily life and professional male hormone therapy treatment. Research from doctors at The High Life Clinic has suggested that as part of a healthy lifestyle, hormone therapy could boost energy levels and improve confidence through virtue of increasing muscle mass and even hair re-growth in thinning areas.

Exercise can be a powerful weapon in the fight against male depression. It helps to balance brain chemistry by boosting, endorphins and serotonin as well as other good mood chemicals. This can also help with another vital facet of a healthy mindset, getting enough sleep. Irritability can be a common side effect of sleep deprivation and this may only serve to exacerbate depression by causing social difficulties.

Eating well is another brilliant way to deal with depression. Mood swings can often run parallel to your energy levels. So a balanced diet that helps you to maintain a steady focus as opposed to extreme highs and lows with excessive sugar for example, is preferable and can help a lot. It may also ease the symptoms of physical ailments that may be contributing to your state of mind.