Depression in men is often unrecognized. Probably because we express our symptoms differently (or suppress them outwardly).

So men will deny the problem – “I’m OK” or “I’m fine” when in reality they’re anything but fine.

We’ll suppress our emotions – men aren’t supposed to cry – and instead say how tired we’ve been recently or whatever other symptom is expressing itself.

Or we’ll take to alcohol to drown our sorrows. Anything to hide our emotions.

Men may also take out their depression in acts of anger – the frustration that’s built up gets vented on something (anything) rather than letting the world see the true, underlying, emotion.

The trouble is, this means that the signs or depression in men are often unnoticed. Even by trained professionals.

So if you’re trying to decide whether the man in your life is suffering from depression, you’re probably going to need to turn into a detective.

The good news is that because men tend to like solving problems, once their state of depression has been recognized, they may well take it on themselves to sort the problem out. The trick for you is to help them on their way – ideally without getting noticed or spotted in the process!

Suggest one or more of the techniques from the earlier list. Don’t push it though – just drop the hint and let the affected man come round to the idea.

Ideally let them think it was their idea in the first place.