Andropause and Depression

Andropause correlates directly with depression - a major player in the notorious mid-life crisis period men face in their late 40´s to late 50´s. There are a wide variety of symptoms and conditions hormone-wrecked men experience during this mid-life transition - everything from the mental (i.e. irritability) to the physical (loss of libido, lack of energy, and weight gain.) Depression, left untreated, can be a disabling condition.

Andropause depression is due to dropping levels of testosterone. Low testosterone levels cause many depressive symptoms - among them, a general indifference to events surrounding you, the inability to concentrate, extreme irritability, and memory loss. We might stress over things that might otherwise be worry-free in a normal situation and brood over certain matters. Our memory might go down the drain and we begin to see our lives in a negative light.

Energy levels plummet and enthusiasm for the activities we used to enjoy become flat-lined. Insomnia and restlessness is also a common symptom. Normal everyday things might become a burden to us, and the simplest shout of a child can make us excessively irritable. Psychologists use a variety of battery tests to figure out whether you suffer from depression. Besides handing you test sheets to work with, they also place you under observation - noticing your behavior, tendencies, and habits while talking to them.

Men tend to be rebellious creatures by nature. We love shrugging off our faults and being poised in the midst of emotional trouble. We take on the role as masculine creatures - lion kings of the jungle that reign over the sprawling landscape we call life. Men can be in full denial when it comes to questions about their sexual ability and prowess. Refusing to understand that we aren't who we once were with our sexual performance as a result of Andropause is in our blood. Fellas, it is time to become aware and acquainted with the severity of your depression.

Off the bat, there are facts and figures supporting depression as a major problem. For one, 80% of all suicides in the United States are carried out by men. The majority of people with this condition never seek the advice and counsel of therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Probably the most shocking fact of all is the male suicide rate is highest during the Andropause years. You read correctly - highest during the years we're specifically talking about.

How do we deal with these devastating changes to our lives? How can we manage stress to reduce the chances of clinical depression? For one, we must follow a daily exercise regimen. That coupled with a caffeine-free diet will boost our immune systems to fight disease. It will also slow down the aging process. Aim to maintain that explosive 30-inch, vertical leap well into your 60s! Another is doing the activities we love. Don't stray from playing your pick-up basketball games with buddies or building those go-carts from scratch as a hobby. Stick to them and enjoy the satisfaction of doing so. Distract yourself from your current condition without ignoring it completely.

Maintain a social network of friends and family that will cheer you up when you need it most. Something as simple as having your young child shove a hand drawing of a red school bus in your face can provide for laughs and smiles. The most important piece of advice is to accept your condition and make accommodations. For example, low testosterone levels can easily be supplemented with testosterone cream. It's bound to happen to all of us, and you either have the choice of making the best of it or letting it overwhelm you. Awareness is critical, and an optimistic attitude, followed with physical activity and a solid nutritional plan, is the best means of fighting Andropause, anti-aging, and the demon known as depression.

Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 25 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and plan development, as well as management of communications and public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be reached at Creative Communications: creative-com@cox.net or by visiting http://www.everythingmenopause.com or http://www.internet-marketing-small-business.com

Latest News

Treasurys rally on economic weakness CNNMoney.com - Dec 1, 2008 At nearly a year in duration, the current recession is one of the longest downturns since the Great Depression. Adding to the grim picture: a pair of ... Government bond yields hit fresh lows BusinessWeek all 84 news articles

Six Sigma Training Gains Popularity as Depression Looms MarketWatch - 6 hours ago Setter adds, "Many leading companies are well aware of these issues, but not every company failed during The Great Depression. If a consumer has less money ...

Depression Leads to Internal Body Fat in 70-Somethings, Study Suggests Wall Street Journal - Dec 1, 2008 People with depression were twice as likely as others to gain visceral fat -- the kind that surrounds internal organs and often shows up as belly fat. ...

ABC News

Bernanke says crisis 'no comparison' to Great Depression AFP - Dec 1, 2008 "Well, you hear a lot of loose talk, but let me just ... say, as a scholar of the Great Depression -- and I've written books about the Depression and been ... Financial Meltdown Could Require Use of Depression-Era Rule American Institute for Economic Research No comparison between current crisis and 1930s: Bernanke Economic Times Bush Recounts an ‘Uh-Oh Moment’ Wall Street Journal Blogs Austin American-Statesman - Reuters all 970 news articles

WCBD

Now ward off depression Economic Times, India - 1 hour ago ... using both monetary and fiscal levers to kick-start faltering economies. The big question is will it ensure the recession does not become a depression. Video: Money Minute: Recession, Paulson, Oil AssociatedPress The Longest Recession Since … New York Times US entered recession December 2007, panel says Washington Post BankInfoSecurity.com - USA Today all 992 news articles

New Online Tool May Help Predict Depression Inventorspot - 8 hours ago Researchers at University College London (UCL) have developed an online tool that may help predict the risk of someone suffering from depression in the ... New Online Test For Depression Science Daily (press release) Former Judge, London Law Professor Hugh Laddie Dies at 62 Bloomberg all 13 news articles

Depression linked to low bone density Cincinnati.com, OH - Dec 1, 2008 By Peggy O’Farrell • pofarrell@enquirer.com • December 1, 2008 Depression and anxiety in their teen years could put girls at risk for brittle bones later in ... Alcoholism Eats At Young Men's Bones Boston Channel.com all 46 news articles

Nearly 5% of US population suffers from persistent depression or ... UC Los Angeles, CA - 2 hours ago Though effective treatments are available for individuals suffering from chronic depression and anxiety, very little is known about how often these ... Kids IQs linked to mental disorders abc7.com all 2 news articles

Sean Snaith: Could be worst recession since Great Depression Tampabay.com, FL - 6 hours ago "It's no Great Depression,'' Snaith said, "but it certainly has the chance to be the worst recession since then.'' • Expect four consecutive quarters of ...

Don’s seeking to lift the burden of depression Great Lakes Advocate, Australia - 3 hours ago WHILE fighting his own battle with depression Don Craig soon realised the need for a local support group for all sufferers. “It doesn’t discriminate – men, ...