Men and
Depression
In the past, depression and depressive disorders were more prevalent amongst women then men, but various studies conducted in 2004 by research and academic institutions suggested a severe rise in depression in males. The studies imply that depression, although deeply link to ancestral genes, can be also closely associated with environmental factors. A study conducted in 2004 shows that men who smoke are at
high risk for
developing depression, especially if they have a high level of nicotine dependency. Single men tend to be more at risk for developing depression, because amongst married couples, the wives tend to take charge in making sure of the
mental and physical wellbeing of their partners. A study at Stanford University found that educated professionals are more likely to be depressed than the rest of the population, and of these educated professionals men have higher depression
levels than women. This is because educated males have a tendency to focus rather on work than recreation. Men who diet become depressed because of the sharp drop of serotonin levels, the hormone responsible for keeping us happy. There is a strong correlation between exercise and high blood and cholesterol levels, and scientists now speculate that due to the increased nervous
activity and high cortisol levels associated with both
conditions, there might be a link between these conditions and depression. Couch potatoes are then also more prone to depression than men who do work out. Many others factors contribute to this mental disorder like sleeping patterns and your demographic location. The steady brain wave activity REM to non-REM (deep) sleep is what is important for mental health, so it is better to sleep eight solid hours than taking frequent naps, because naps create irregular brain-wave patterns and thus increase the chances for developing depression. Where you live is very important too, because men living in urban areas are more familiar with a faster paced lifestyle and stress, whereas the serene surroundings of rural areas can make men more susceptible to a depressive disorder.
More summaries about the Men's Health Magazine: 09/05