Male depression is an often serious, under-recognized, and underreported mental health challenge and one of the leading contributors to male suicide. Although fewer men are diagnosed with depression than women (10% of men vs 16% of women), they are more likely to die by suicide at nearly 3 to 4 times the rate [1].
Men who struggle with depression are less likely to seek treatment, may show less “typical” signs of depression, such as sadness, and many times may not even realize they are depressed until their behaviors begin to impact their relationships, workplace, or physical health. Rather, signs of depression in men can look like typical male behavior, such as reckless driving, substance abuse, aggression, and workaholicism.
Understanding these numbers, the sneaky signs of depression in men, and how seeking treatment reflects strength, can help you or a man in your life connect with treatment and improve their mental health.
How Common is Depression in Men?
According to the CDC, around 10.1% of males in the U.S. report depression, yet nearly half do not receive treatment. And the rates of undiagnosed men are thought to be even higher. Some of the reasons depression in men goes undiagnosed include [2][3]:
- Lack of Recognition: Sadness, loneliness, and feeling emotional are often not the main symptoms of depression in men. They may struggle with headaches, stomach problems, low energy, and chronic pain, mistaken for a physical health condition or just “work stress”.
- Downplay Symptoms: Due to cultural norms on masculinity and strength, it’s common for men to downplay their symptoms, not wanting to admit to anyone (including themself) how much their symptoms are affecting their daily life. Ignoring, covering up, or using unhealthy coping skills to hide depression only makes it worse.
- Self-Control: Many men have learned the importance of self-control and being able to “control and manage” their feelings without having to process them or talk about them. Although it’s often seen as a strength, it’s actually a form of avoidance and only damages relationships in the long run.
- Stigma: Even men who feel they are depressed may not want to get help due to fears of losing respect, reduced strength, feeling weak, or the impact on their career.
Men and Suicide
Women attempt suicide more often than men; however, men are more likely to complete suicide. In the US, nearly 80% of the suicide deaths were men, and this trend continues to stay steady, with around 40,000 to 50,000 men committing suicide per year over the past decade [4].
Men are known to make more violent suicide attempts, such as with a gun. They may act more suddenly or impulsively, show fewer warning signs, and are more likely to turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. All of which can increase the risk of self-harm and suicide attempts.
What Causes Depression in Men?
Depression in men is caused by a combination of biological, environmental, and cultural factors, as well as life events that can impact chemical changes in the brain. Grief, unemployment, chronic work stress such as working in emergency services, substance abuse, and a family history of depression or suicide can all increase the risk of depression in men.
Below are a few statistics related to the factors that cause depression in men [3][5][6]:
- 40-50% of men with depression report a family history of depression or suicide.
- Approximately 30-40% of men with depression report recent grief, loss, or major life stressors such as divorce or job loss contributing to their condition.
- Nearly 25-30% report job loss or financial hardship as triggers.
- Chronic work stress, especially in emergency services or high-demand jobs, is linked to increased risk of depression affecting around 20-25% of Emergency Medical Technicians, policemen, and firefighters.
Realistic Signs of Depression in Men
Men typically do not often outwardly express feelings of sadness, depression, overwhelm, or even discuss their struggles. They may not have sudden crying spells or express that they want to die, as depression is often portrayed.
Below are 6 realistic signs of depression in men to be mindful of in yourself, a partner, bro, or any guy worth caring for in your life.
- Anger: Depression, shame, guilt, and loneliness can often manifest as anger, aggression, or even violence in men, which can often be overlooked as “typical male behavior” but is often a telltale sign of depression.
- Risk-Taking: Dangerous driving or speeding, risky sex, gambling or day trading, and substance use are common forms of escapism. Around 45% of men with depression abuse alcohol or drugs [3].
- Workaholism or hyperproductivity: Some men cope by overworking to distract themselves from feelings of numbness, despair, or anxiety about finances or the future.
- Withdrawal: Men often isolate themselves from others, shut down in romantic or close relationships, and fail to communicate, which can strain relations and worsen depression in the long run.
- Physical Issues: Headaches, blurry vision, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, chronic neck or back pain, or fatigue with no explainable physical cause are often signs of mental health challenges in men.
- Cognitive Issues: Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or feeling irritable often indicate something under the surface, even if you are not aware of it.
Treatment Options for Depression in Men
Treating depression does not just mean “talking about being sad” but combines evidence-based behavioral therapies, FDA-approved medications, and, more recently, innovative therapies like Ketamine or neuromodulation such as TMS and neurofeedback.
- Behavioral Therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), help men identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that drive depression. Research shows CBT is effective for improving symptoms of depression and reducing relapse rates, such as substance abuse, by teaching practical coping skills.
- Medications such as antidepressants balance brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine to relieve symptoms. Medications are often combined with therapy for the best outcomes and are shown to reduce severe symptoms like suicidal ideation.
- Ketamine Therapy is an emerging treatment offering rapid relief from treatment-resistant depression by modulating glutamate pathways in the brain. It can decrease suicidal thoughts quickly compared to traditional meds.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation shown to improve mood by targeting brain areas affected by depression, especially in men who don’t respond to meds.
- Neurofeedback uses real-time brain activity feedback to teach self-regulation of brain function, helping men improve emotional control and reduce depressive symptoms. It is also increasingly used among athletes for emotional regulation and brain-strength training.
Ketamine Therapy, TMS, and Neurofeedback for Depression in Men
At Maple Mountain Mental Health and Wellness in Utah, we understand that treating depression in men requires a blend of strength and science. Our comprehensive approach combines clinical treatments like behavioral therapy and medication with cutting-edge therapies such as Ketamine, TMS, and Neurofeedback.
We integrate strength training, emotional release activities like car bashing, and relationship skill-building into your personalized treatment plan. This unique combination supports emotional freedom and a deeper connection while honoring your masculine energy.
Reach out to admissions today, and take the first step toward a renewed sense of purpose and inner peace at Maple Mountain.
Sources
[1] Dai, Q. et al. (2021). A Hypothesis of Gender Differences in Self-Reporting Symptoms of Depression: Implications to Solve Under-Diagnosis and Under-Treatment of Depression in Males. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 589687.
[2] CDC. Depression Prevalence in Adolescents and Adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023.
[3] AADA. 2025. Men’s Mental Health.
[4] Suicide Statistics. 2025. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
[5] Men and mental health: What are we missing? AAMC.
[6] Kostadinov, V. et al. (2016). Men, Work, and Mental Health: A Systematic Review of Depression in Male-dominated Industries and Occupations. Safety and health at work, 7(4), 268–283.