Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world. However, it is often overlooked in men over 50, as they may not seek help or recognize the symptoms. This blog post aims to raise awareness of depression in men over 50 and provide information on how to recognize and seek help for this condition.
Depression in Men Over 50
Depression is a significant concern, as it can be linked to several factors, including physical health problems, social isolation, retirement, and the loss of loved ones. According to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, around 1 in 10 men over the age of 50 suffer from depression. This translates to approximately 10% of men in this age group. However, it is worth noting that this is only an estimate, and the actual number of men with depression in this age group may be higher, as many cases of depression go undiagnosed and unreported. Additionally, depression can vary in severity, so some men may experience milder symptoms that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for major depression.
Symptoms of Depression in Men Over 50
The symptoms of depression in men in this age group may differ from those in younger men or women. Older men may experience symptoms that are often mistaken for the natural aging process or other health problems. Some common symptoms of depression in men over 50 include:
Irritability or anger
Loss of interest in hobbies or activities they previously enjoyed
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
Changes in appetite or weight
Fatigue or lack of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach problems
Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
Recognising and Seeking Help for Depression in Men Over 50
Recognising the symptoms of depression in men over 50 is the first step in seeking help. Unfortunately, many men do not seek help for depression due to stigma, shame, or the belief that they can handle their problems alone. However, depression is a medical condition that requires professional help.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of depression, it is essential to speak to a healthcare provider. A mental health professional can evaluate your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. Treatment for depression may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
In addition to seeking professional help, there are several things you can do to manage depression, including:
Exercise regularly: Exercise can boost mood, reduce stress, and improve overall physical health.
Maintain social connections: Social isolation can contribute to depression. Staying connected with friends and family can help reduce the risk of depression.
Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet can help improve physical health and boost mood.
Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can worsen depression symptoms. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
Practice stress-reduction techniques: Meditation, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and improve mood.
Conclusion
Depression is a common and treatable condition that affects men over 50. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking help is essential for managing this condition. By seeking professional help, maintaining social connections, exercising regularly, and practicing stress-reduction techniques, men over 50 can manage depression and improve their overall well-being.
The elephant in the room, the bogie man, the subject nobody wants to talk about, Erectile Dysfunction. Most men would deny ever having an issue but! As with all other men’s health and mental health matters, I have no issue with talking about this, have I suffered from Erectile Dysfunction yes, I have tried the blue pill and in all honesty, it is not for me.
My issue is not physical though I have physical issues such as prolapsed discs which can be a factor. I can gain an erection 99% of the time be that through masturbation or with a sexual partner, there have been times I could not maintain an erection completely. I know this is a psychological issue and that is why I turned to talk therapy. CBT, NLP, meditations. I signed up for an online course at Mojo, through the course you do meditations, exercises, pelvic floor exercises, and various other things. As I already know CBT, NLP, self-hypnosis, and deep meditation techniques it is very much a case of listening to my own advice and using the toolset that I already possess.
Erectile dysfunction is a common problem where a man finds it hard to get or keep an erection.
The main symptom of erectile dysfunction is not being able to get or keep an erection.
Treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on the cause. Treatments include medicines, vacuum pumps, healthy lifestyle changes, and talking therapy.
Causes
Nerve damage
Damage to the nerves which cause the erection leads to reduced sensitivity thus making it increasingly difficult to achieve an erection.
A disease of the blood vessels
The blood vessels become narrowed and hardened. This reduces the blood supply to the penis which can lead to impotence.
When the penis does not fill adequately then the veins will not be closed off and the blood will leak back out of the penis. The erection will not be maintained.
Trauma
Such as injury to the spinal cord.
Pelvic surgery
Some operations on the prostate, bladder, or bowel may result in some nerve damage leading to impotence.
Drugs
Some drugs for blood pressure, depression, and sedatives have the side effect of causing impotence.
Smoking and alcohol
Those who smoke and drink are more likely to suffer from impotence.
In men with diabetes, the most common cause of erectile dysfunction is a disease of the blood vessels and/or nerve damage.
Treatments
The best first step is to visit a sexual health clinic, many offer walk-in appointments. Here you will have blood pressure taken, and a genital screening to see if there is a physical issue.
Counseling
Counseling can be part or all of the treatment required.
Tablet treatment
First-line treatment for most patients is now tablet treatment using either avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil. Your GP will prescribe this for you in the first instance.
Hormone treatment
This is offered to those patients who are deficient in male hormones i.e. testosterone. Medication can restore the hormone imbalance and improve potency. This treatment will not have any effect on those who do not have a hormone imbalance.
Self-injection therapy
This treatment involves self-injecting a drug into the side of the penis each time you want to have an erection. The injection causes the muscle in the penis to relax allowing increased blood flow into the area.
Vacuum erection assistance devices
These are non-invasive methods of getting and sustaining an erection. To use this device the penis is inserted into a cylinder, using plenty of lubrication to ensure a good seal at the base of the penis. A small vacuum pump is attached to the other end of the cylinder. The pump creates a vacuum and this causes blood to be drawn into the penis thus causing an erection. A constriction ring is then placed onto the base of the penis to trap the blood in the penis and maintain an erectile state. The cylinder is then removed. The ring can be left in place for up to 30 minutes.
It has been a funny few months since I last wrote here, the title says it all Love Laugh Cry, I have done a bit of them all lately. I Have been at some of my lowest points and at some very high points during this time, the joys of mental health. Since the last post I have had times of zero communication with my daughter who herself has not been very well physically. I learnt that I am going to be a Granddad in December my first and it is going to be a boy. Ffion has turned 16 and well I am now 55, yes I know it is hard to believe.
I started a new contract and spent a week in Germany at the start of July, which is ongoing. The art has been very quiet though I have done one commission mannequin lamp that is now in Portsmouth and his name is Dave lol.
At the end of August, I had a week in West Wales in my little old caravan staying on the site that it used to be pitched on seasonally a few years back.
During the last few months, I have done quite a few videos from the river. Journaling in a way or vlogging about mental health and general stuff. I called them bollox from the river and they are up on my YouTube channel. Being in or near water is always a great soother of the mind. The plan is going in through the winter.
Middle of September I had a message from Ffion and we have been talking again I have seen her a few times as well. Lewis paid a visit as well the first time I had seen him since before covid started.
Mood swings
Between May and September, I hit some pretty low points and yes I had those thoughts, I had massive anxiety attacks and deep dark depression. Days where a trip to the toilet was about it for me. Going in the river and doing the videos really did help during those times, also talking to the few people who I know I can at any time helps. In doing the bollox from the river videos I found a release, it was my therapy room my antidepressant. So September drew to a close like I said I saw my children. Work was extended and I started talking to a rather nice young lady, it is early days but who knows?
So where am I now in the middle of October? Well, I have given myself a talking-to and started a better way of eating, it is not a diet. More a change of lifestyle. Having an accountability buddy who knows who she is really helping. I have set a definite target set, a goal that I will hit.
There we are that’s the last few months put to words, which is always a good thing. Love Laugh Cry there has been a bit of all of them the last few months. My success rate at getting through the shit times remains at 100%. I know what to do it is just a case of practising what I preach. Take care, you glorious bastards.
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