For the start of 2024, Dagoa will begin with the distress of men. She recently learned that there was an International Men’s Day, November 15. She meditated on why such a day ? Then, she realized that indeed, in certain areas, men are at a disadvantage compared to women : see the article International Men’s Day, depression in men is just one example.
The differences between male and female depression
“Depression is generally linked, in our minds, to the feminine figure. And yet, men suffer from it too. Less often perhaps but certainly not less seriously. The Geneva psychiatrist Théodore Hovaguimian has the merit of recalling this in a recently published book*. A salutary work which, by evoking this problem, contributes to breaking a taboo with sometimes terrible consequences. »
“male depression, taboo illness” published in “LE TEMPS”, Swiss daily newspaper, published in 2013 and updated in 2022
“Men experiencing depression often display attitudes that are very distinct from those of women in the same state. They thus have much more difficulty accepting their situation and willingly practice denial… More explosive, the masculine character leads to excesses such as flight and alcohol, when it is not violence…”
“male depression, taboo illness” published in “LE TEMPS”, Swiss daily newspaper, published in 2013 and updated in 2022
For better care, we must understand the depressed man …
“Men are more reluctant to consult, confirms Alain Sauteraud, psychiatrist in Bordeaux. Which means they resolve it at a more advanced stage of depression. Before going to see a doctor, they will often have resorted to products such as nicotine, alcohol or cannabis. »
“male depression, taboo illness” published in “LE TEMPS”, Swiss daily newspaper, published in 2013 and updated in 2022.
Denial alone makes detecting depression in men more complex. This is why one of the first things to do is to communicate with the depressed man.
“The Geneva psychiatrist assures us that there is an effective way to talk to depressed men. By telling them the truth, that depression is not a shame but an illness. And by explaining to them that they are not helpless victims of what happens to them but that their recovery depends on them and that, if they are not guilty of their condition, they are responsible for it”
“male depression, taboo illness” published in “LE TEMPS”, Swiss daily newspaper, published in 2013 and updated in 2022 quotidien Suisse,
Testimonies of depressed men
Dagoa believes that the testimony of men suffering from depression and who learn to live with it on a daily basis can make a difference in prevention. So that this mental illness is not taboo because it kills. “Men become depressed at half the rate but commit suicide twice as often.” Dagoa wants society to evolve in the right direction and asks herself as a woman what she can do… The rest of this article next week.