A great meeting with Katy Daniells (our Logistics coordinator) this morning to get things on track! Here’s a summary of the past week and what’s in planning for this week:

Rider Update: At last count, there were 23 confirmed riders (including Raz, Robbie & I) for the Sydney -> NT journey!

Visits: Raz & I visited Love Motorcycles to secure Alon’s services to service the bikes when we return from the trip! On the way home we dropped in on the lovely folks at Kenma (Ventura Luggage & Grypp Tyre repair kits) for a quick chat and discussion about the ride.

Promotional material: The flyers have been printed and we’ll be distributing them to bike clubs and bike shops over the next few days. We’ve also had a write-up on the bikenews.com.au website.

Visits: On Wed 21st July Riding4acause will be guests at the Castle Hill Ulysses monthly meeting to share our story and spruik the ride, Initial interest has been great so far!

Until next time,

- Andrew

Image via Wikipedia

Male Depression, as the name suggests relates to men only. However this type of depression is not something different from the normal depression term we are acquainted with. However, negligence on the part of men has made it a very grievous problem.

Men tend to have the attitude that nothing can deter them and they are strong enough to face such problems. However, this negligence in the long term aggravates the problem and makes it a chronic problem. Thus, nowadays the problem of male depression stands as a different category of depression as it needs special attention.

Men tend to hide their problems from health care specialists because of the overconfidence that, they can tackle the problem themselves and these further exacerbates the condition.

Symptoms Of Male Depression
Depression in its basic sense is a sudden attack of acute mental illness characterized by depression and anxiety. This term is often related to mental breakdown or nervous breakdown. However, these terminologies are not according to the medical terminologies.

Male depression is a similar kind of depression with some of the basic symptoms that are also found in other depression states. Though the symptoms in male depression are also similar to female depression, but it is different in some of the areas. Precisely, the symptoms of male depression are

1. Violent behavior – One of the most commonly found symptoms in men, affected by male depression, is the increasing percentage of violent behavior. They tend to react very violently to everything.

2. Loss of Weight – Another most distinctly visible symptom is the loss of weight. This loss of weight is quite abnormal and is regarded as a symptom because the weight gets reduced automatically without any workout.

3. Loss of concentration – Lack of concentration in everything is also a very visible and remarkable difference one can find in this state. It is characterized by lack of alertness and forgetting simple things in a very short span of time.

4. Thoughts of Suicide – One of the most hidden symptoms of this problem are the suicidal thoughts that arises in the heart and mind of the affected person. The affected person can only know this symptom. So it becomes very difficult for the other person to determine.

Conclusion
These are some of the important symptoms that are found in a person affected by male depression.Apart from these, headaches, digestive disorders, alcohol abuse and isolation from family and friends are some of the general symptoms seen in an affected person.

It has been widely documented that there is a clear gender difference when it comes to being diagnosed with depression. Six million men and 12 million women in the U.S. each year meet the criteria for clinical depression. Various explanations for the 1:2 ratio of depressed men vs. women have been suggested. One possibility is that men may under-report their depression due to a perceived stigma associated with this mental illness. Depression is traditionally viewed as a woman’s problem; for a man to admit to being depressed, he runs the risk of being viewed as weak, feminine, or not manly enough to “tough it out.”

Additionally, it has been posited that symptoms of depression are manifested differently in men vs. women. While depressed women may report feeling sad and emotional, depressed men are more likely to experience irritability and hostility, or physical symptoms such as fatigue and pain. Thus, depression in men may be harder to recognize.

Others have argued that the ratio may reflect true gender difference due to men and women using different coping styles. In a series of well-known studies by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, a prominent researcher in the field of depression, she discovered that while women tend to ruminate, or dwell on, their problems, men tend to distract themselves with activities; moreover, she found evidence suggesting that rumination results in greater depression.

How do these factors impact depression in men? Perceived stigma can cause men to bottle up their depressed feelings and resist seeking treatment. Having less “obvious” symptoms of depression can hinder accurate diagnosis and delay appropriate treatment. The tendency to distract themselves from distress may cause some men to overwork and thereby neglect their health and family. Others may turn to destructive habits such as heavy drinking and substance abuse, or risk-taking behaviors such as reckless driving, promiscuity, or compulsive spending.

Untreated depression means prolonged and unnecessary suffering for the afflicted individual and his or her loved ones. It also means elevated risk for suicide, especially for men. According to statistics collected by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), men are 3-4 times more likely than women to commit suicide; while women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to complete suicide by using more lethal means such as a gun. Major risk factors include being separated, divorced, or widowed, and heavy drinking. Age and ethnicity play a role as well, with older white males at highest risk for suicide.
What can you do if the men in your life seem to be struggling with depression?

1. Learn the signs for depression, especially male depression. Irritability and impulsive behavior that are out of character for the person may be important clues. Remember not to take these signs personally.
2. Gently, but firmly and persistently, encourage your loved one to seek help by talking to his doctor, pastor, rabbi, or a therapist. Community support groups can also be helpful.
3. Get help right away if you suspect that the person may be at risk for suicide and/or other violent behaviors. Call 911. Call his doctor. Don’t be afraid of antagonizing the person by reaching out for help. His and others’ lives may be at stake.

For more information on this important topic, visit www.mengetdepression.com .
Copyright © 2008 by Toghers

An estimated six million men in the United States have a depressive disorder-major depression, dysthymia (chronic, less severe depression), or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) every year. (2004).

The facts about men and depression.

An estimated six million men in the United States have a depressive disorder-major depression, dysthymia (chronic, less severe depression), or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness)-every year. Although these illnesses are highly treatable, many men do not recognize, acknowledge, or seek help for their depression.

While both men and women may develop the standard symptoms of depression, they often experience depression differently and may have different ways of coping. Men may be more willing to report fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies, and sleep disturbances rather than feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and excessive guilt, which are commonly associated with depression in women. Also, tragically, four times as many men as women die by suicide, even though women make more suicide attempts during their lives.

The truth is, depression is a real and treatable illness. It can strike at any age, from childhood into late life. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of men with depression can be helped.

What makes depression different from the blues?

Depression is a serious medical condition that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects how you eat and sleep. It alters your self-perception. It changes the way you think and feel. Men with a depressive illness can’t just “snap out of it” or “pull themselves together,” because depression isn’t the same as a passing mood. Left untreated, depression may last for weeks, months, or years at a time.

Depressive illnesses can make routine tasks unbearably difficult. Pleasures that make life worth living-watching a football game, playing with children, even making love-can be drained of joy. Depression brings pain and disruption not only to the person who has it, but also to his family and others who care about him.

If you are experiencing some of the following symptoms, you may have a depressive illness. Ask yourself if you are feeling: sad or “empty”; irritable or angry; guilty or worthless; pessimistic or hopeless; tired or “slowed down”; restless or agitated; like no one cares about you; or like life is not worth living. You may also: sleep more or less than usual; eat more or less than usual; have persistent headaches, stomachaches or chronic pain; have trouble concentrating, remembering things or making decisions; lose interest in work or hobbies; or lose interest in sex.

If these symptoms are familiar, it’s time to talk with your doctor. Depression is a real, medical illness that can be successfully treated, most often with medication, psychotherapy (“talk” therapy), or a combination of both. Support from family and friends plays an important role as well.

It takes courage to ask for help.

The feelings and behaviors that are part of depression can hinder a person’s ability to seek help. In addition, men in particular may find it difficult to admit depressive symptoms and ask for help. It’s important to remember, however, that depression is a real, treatable illness and is nothing to be ashamed about.

Thanks to years of research, a variety of effective treatments including medications and short-term psychotherapies are available for depressive disorders. Treatment choice will depend on the patient’s diagnosis, severity of symptoms, and preference. In general, severe depressive illnesses, particularly those that are recurrent, will require a combination of treatments for the best outcome.

If you are feeling depressed, tell someone about your symptoms. Speak with a doctor, nurse, psychologist, social worker, or employee assistance professional. Asking for help takes courage, but it can make all the difference.

Source – NIMH website