DO YOU HAVE SIGNS
OF DEPRESSION?After a cardiac event, many men experience depressive symptoms including:
- Sadness or irritability
- Diminished feelings of pleasure
- Loss of interest
- Noticeable changes in weight or appetite
- Changes in sleeping patterns (too much or too little sleep)
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of guilt, shame and sense of personal failure
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts about self-harm or suicide
However, men often express depression differently, especially early on:
- Less obvious sadness
- Aggressive behaviour, anger, irritability
- Alcohol and/or other drug overuse
- Tendency toward risky behaviours (excessive speeding,
sport/physical activity) - Physical discomfort (pain, headache, sexual dysfunction, etc.)
- Trouble sleeping
MEN OFTEN SAY:
“I’m not the man I used to be…”
“I feel like I’m letting everyone down…”
“I feel weak… what’s happening to me…?”
“I can’t do the things I want to do…”
“I should be happy to be alive, but I feel depressed all the time…”
MARTIN TELLS HIS STORY
In his testimony, Martin explains the difficulties he experienced after his heart attack. He reveals how important it was for him to engage in pleasant activities. It helped him with his symptoms of depression.
