Men Are Twice As Likely To Suffer Depression As A Result Of Divorce Than Women

Where it is commonly known that divorce is one of the most stressful events that a person can go through, it is less widely known that men are nearly twice as likely to suffer depression as a result of divorce than women.

Why?

There are a lot of theories as to why this is the case. Many people think that it may be because men are traditionally less likely to share their feelings with others, and in doing so process them.

It is possible that the stereo types that are placed on men leave them feeling that they need to give an appearance of being strong through this life altering event, despite experiencing feelings of loss and uncertainty.

To make the situation worse, divorce may also bring with it decreased social interaction as friends take different sides. There may be worries about losing their home, security, or custody of any children they shared with their spouse. There may be financial worries.

What does depression look like?

It is important to acknowledge that not all men who feel depressed will seem sad, they may be trying to mask this emotion with activities that make them happy. They may start working long hours, start an overly vigorous fitness regime, or start drinking too much alcohol. They may be more irritable or simply lack previous motivation.

What can I do?

If you are feeling depressed as a result of divorce, or know someone who you think may be feeling this way, it is very important to reach out for support as soon as possible. Things are often not as bad as we imagine them to be, and talking through the situation will help. Reaching out to a trusted friend or someone who has been through what you are experiencing will help. You can also find some useful links below.

Knowing your rights and understanding the help that is available to you may at least remove some of the worries concerning the divorce. Many solicitors for example offer a free initial consultation and will be able to provide practical advice regarding divorce arrangements. Knowing the facts and having professional support may be helpful.

There are lots of helpful resources for men online, including this website that supports men who are experiencing feelings of depression from all over the world: https://headsupguys.org/

If you think a man you know is feeling depressed, then you may find this article helpful: https://conversations.movember.com/en-gb

If you are at a crisis point please reach out immediately to talk to someone. Samaritans are available to take a call from anyone who is feeling like they have had enough, 24 hours a day, every single day. They say “We are waiting for your call” and you can reach them by calling 116 123. You can visit their website here for more information: https://www.samaritans.org/