MHM Magazine

16 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 2022 | Issue 6 MHM • Experiencing suicidal thoughts • Absenteeism or poor performance at work • Alcohol or drug abuse While mental health has been placed higher on the agenda in South Africa in recent years, it still pales in comparison to the attention given to other illnesses. This despite global predictions by the World Health Organisation, that by 2030 the leading cause of debilitating illness will be AIDS, depression and heart attack. South Africa is ranked number 10 on the list of countries with the most suicides, with almost 24 per 100 000 people. Almost 75-percent of those who commit suicide in South Africa are men, highlighting the extent of mental health issues facing our society, and males in particular. According to the Male Mental Health survey 2015, by the Eaton Foundation, the most commonly reported life difficulties by respondents were depression (79%), debt worries (71%), anxiety (68%), unemployment (55%) and suicidal thoughts (47%). Mental health related illness can affect anyone. While support is available, men need to have the courage to reach out for help. Doctor-patient confidentiality often provides a safe environment for men to begin the conversation. It’s important for healthcare professionals to steer this engagement in the right direction, highlighting their support and unconditional acceptance. Doctors are well placed to offer advice and encourage patients to open up about their mental health, before referring them to a relevant professional. COMMON CONDITIONS 1.Anxiety Disorders Men are often undiagnosed because symptoms are overlooked. Instead of worry and nervousness, they may display anger and irritability. Men seek help for physical symptoms rather than mental illness. 2.Substance Abuse Men use drugs and alcohol to cope with feelings they can’t express. Men are almost twice as likely as women to binge drink and are more likely than women to use illicit drugs. 3.ADHD Common symptoms include impulsivity, hyperactivity, and a low attention span. Undiagnosed adult men may have trouble identifying the root of their problems as ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood. 4.Schizophrenia Men are more likely to develop this condition. They are also likely to experience an earlier onset of the condition with lower social functioning compared to women. “I WILL BE RIDICULED IF PEOPLE KNEW I WAS DEPRESSED” We know the gender stereotypes that define a healthy woman and the psychological consequences that these have had over decades. For instance, society has created a perception that a woman is beautiful if she fits into a size six dress, possesses flawless skin and has perfectly long legs. It’s important to understand that societal stereotypes and expectations can also be damaging to men. Imagine sitting at a bar during a guy’s night out and sharing feelings of anxiety or depression. As a man, you would probably leave feeling worse than when you arrived, as many social circles frown upon what is considered an “emotional man”. This is despite expressing your emotions being identified as a form of therapy. If a man struggles with mental health, he is considered weak and lacking fortitude. These outdated gender norms are tying men to social taboos and masculine behaviour, preventing them from seeking help for their mental health, out of fear of being ridiculed. For example, the average male patient is more likely to conform to the social norms of masculinity than open up about their feelings. A patient who fits this profile stands a higher chance of suffering from heighted stress and depression. Their symptoms are also likely to last for prolonged periods. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE DEPRESSION Woman tend to: Men tend to: Blame themselves Blame others Feel sad, apathetic, and worthless Feel angry, irritable, and ego inflated Feel anxious and scared Feel suspicious and guarded Avoid conflicts at all costs Create conflicts Feel slowed down and nervous Feel restless and agitated Have trouble setting boundaries Need to feel in control at all costs Find it easy to talk about self-doubt and despair Find it ''weak'' to admit self-doubt or despair Use food, friends, and ''love'' to self- medicate Use alcohol, TV, sports, and sex to selfmedicate Thirty-two-year-old Nkanyiso Dube (not his real name) identified with many symptoms relating to depression after being retrenched from his job as a restaurant manager in Johannesburg in 2020. “Initially I didn’t know it was depression until I started reading about my symptoms. I used to sit around the house while my wife went to work which made me feel useless. When she got home, I would take out my frustrations on her and scream at my son. In my culture, any issue around mental health is linked to being possessed by the devil. I knew that if I spoke about it, I would have been labelled crazy,” explained Dube. Dube represents a typical example of how undiagnosed and untreated mental health eroded different aspects of his life, destroying key relationships. The reality is men may not even recognise symptoms of mental health disorders, especially if their symptoms are less severe.