Andropause directly correlates with depression, a major factor in the notorious midlife crisis period faced by men in their 40s and 50s. There is a wide variety of symptoms and conditions that hormone-wracked men experience during this midlife transition, from the mental (ie irritability) to the physical (loss of libido, lack of energy, and weight gain). Depression, if left untreated, can be a disabling condition.
Andropause depression is due to falling testosterone levels. Low testosterone levels cause many depressive symptoms, including a general indifference to events around you, an inability to concentrate, extreme irritability, and memory loss. We might stress over things that would otherwise be worry-free in a normal situation and ruminate on certain matters. Our memory can go down the drain and we begin to see our lives in a negative light.
Energy levels plummet and enthusiasm for activities we used to enjoy fades. Insomnia and restlessness are also common symptoms. Normal everyday things can become a burden to us, and the simple cry of a child can make us excessively irritable. Psychologists use a variety of battery tests to determine if you suffer from depression. In addition to giving you test sheets to work on, they also put you under observation, noting your behavior, tendencies, and habits as you talk to them.
Men tend to be rebellious creatures by nature. We love to ignore our faults and be balanced in the midst of emotional problems. We take on the role of male creatures: lion kings of the jungle who reign over the sprawling landscape we call life. Men can completely deny it when it comes to questions about their sexual ability and prowess. Refusing to understand that we are not who we once were with our sexual performance as a result of Andropause is in our blood.
Friends, it is time to become aware and familiar with the seriousness of your depression.
Right off the bat, there are facts and figures that support depression as a major problem. For one, 80% of all suicides in the United States are committed by men. Most people with this condition never seek the advice of therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Probably the most shocking fact of all is that the male suicide rate is highest during the Andropause years. You read correctly: higher during the years we are specifically talking about.
How do we deal with these devastating changes in our lives? How can we manage stress to reduce the chances of clinical depression? On the one hand, we must follow a daily exercise regimen. That, along with a caffeine-free diet, will boost our immune systems to fight disease. It will also slow down the aging process. Try to keep that explosive 30-inch vertical jump into your 60s! Another is doing the activities we love. Don’t get sidetracked from playing your basketball games with friends or building those go-karts from scratch as a hobby. Stick to them and enjoy the satisfaction of doing so. Distract yourself from your current condition without completely ignoring it.
Maintain a social network of friends and family who will cheer you on when you need it most. Something as simple as your young child putting a hand drawing of a red school bus on your face can spark laughter and smiles. The most important advice is to accept her condition and make the best of it.
For example, low testosterone levels can easily be supplemented with a testosterone cream. It likely happens to all of us, and you have a choice to make the most of it or let it overwhelm you. Awareness is critical, and an optimistic attitude, followed by physical activity and a solid nutritional plan, is the best way to combat Andropause, anti-aging, and the demon known as depression.