Andropause and Depression
There are a wide variety of symptoms and conditions
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 can 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.
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