Men's depression is different -- and dangerous

She has trouble getting out of bed, perhaps confides in a few close friends, and is likely to seek professional help. He gets irritable and nasty, bottles up his feelings inside, and the last thing he wants to do is talk to a counsellor. Both are depressed, but, at least in its early stages, female and male depression look very different.

Male depression is a serious medical condition, but many men try to ignore it or refuse treatment.

The issues behind male depression
Depression affects about 6 million men and 12 million women in America each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. But the big difference in these numbers may not tell the whole story.

While it may seem as if men are less affected by depression, that assumption may not be entirely true. Researchers are trying to understand how and why male depression may be different from female depression, and any implications for treatment. Although the issues remain open to debate and uncertainty, they include the possibilities that:

• Male depression may often go undiagnosed
• Men and women may experience different depression symptoms
• Men with depression are more likely to die by suicide than are women with depression
• Men may need an emphasis on learning healthy coping skills

Signs of depression can include:

• Feelings of sadness that don't go away
• Losing interest and pleasure in your usual activities
• Crying for no apparent reason
• Excessive anxiety, agitation or worry-
• Changes in your energy levels, eating or sleeping patterns
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Suicidal thoughts

If you've felt like this for more than two weeks it could be a sign of depression and you should seek information and help.
Most people who experience depression make a full recovery - the first step is seeking help. Just talking about your feelings with a person you trust can be the first step towards recovery. You may want to contact your Doctor or local

Primary Health Organisation.
There are a range of treatments for depression which could include:

• Counselling
• Therapy
• Antidepressant medication

There are also a number of self help techniques available such as massage or aromatherapy which may support your wellbeing.

Depression affects all ages, races and economic groups and both men and women. It is thought that men experience depression just as often as women, but they are less likely to ask for help.

Physiology of Erection

Erectile dysfunction (ED or "male impotence") is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.

Physiology of Erection
The physiological process of erection begins in the brain and involves the nervous and vascular systems. Neurotransmitters in the brain (e.g., epinephrine, acetylcholine, nitric oxide) are some of the chemicals that initiate it. Physical or psychological stimulation (arousal) causes nerves to send messages to the vascular system, which results in significant blood flow to the penis. Two arteries in the penis supply blood to erectile tissue and the corpora cavernosa, which become engorged and expand as a result of increased blood flow and pressure.
Because blood must stay in the penis to maintain rigidity, erectile tissue is enclosed by fibrous elastic sheathes (tunicae) that cinch to prevent blood from leaving the penis during erection. When stimulation ends, or following ejaculation, pressure in the penis decreases, blood is released, and the penis resumes its normal shape.