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American Morning

Men and Depression

Aired September 23, 2003 - 07:24   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Medical news now, depression does not discriminate. Twice as common among women. Studies now suggest that men are likely to suffer more. Interesting findings.
And Dr. Sanjay Gupta is here in New York to explain this one -- nice to see you in person yet again.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good to see you.

HEMMER: What does this study say?

GUPTA: Well, it's a big topic, no question about it. Depression in men, about six million men, oftentimes the problem being that it goes unrecognized, which is why it can be so much more problematic than actually women. Not the same number of resources or not the same number seeking resources when it comes to men and depression.

There's going to be a huge campaign, actually. The National Institute of Mental Health -- you're going to hear a lot about this over the upcoming few weeks and months, radio, television, talking about depression in men, real depression, real men getting that problem.

Lots of people know the symptoms of depression. Those are no big secret. They're feelings of sad, anxiousness, hopelessness, guilty feelings, loss of interest, decreased energy, as well. Those are some of the feelings of depression in both men and women.

But when it comes to men, there are some unique, more unique symptoms and I think this is what makes it particularly problematic, for men in particular, as compared to women. They're less likely to acknowledge the problem. I think that is the problem right there. Less likely to seek treatment as a result of that, more likely to self-medicate, not just with anti-depressants but with alcohol. And as a result, perhaps, four times as likely to commit suicide, as well. Men, when they do attempt suicide, often with much more violent means than with women, oftentimes, as you know, Bill, linked to depression, as well.

HEMMER: Yes, I thought the article was interesting, "Real Men Get the Blues" is the title for this.

GUPTA: Yes.

HEMMER: A 54-year-old man saying he was empty, unmotivated, detached from the people around him and, he says, it was normal for me. GUPTA: That's right.

HEMMER: He didn't even notice it.

GUPTA: And when you talk about the symptoms of depression in women versus men, women often describe some of the more classic symptoms, whereas men do describe feelings, as you say, of hopelessness, angry, being disorganization, for example, things like that that maybe you wouldn't naturally associate with depression, but men oftentimes manifest signs of depression differently.

HEMMER: Give us some advice, quickly, tips for men who may want to deal with this.

GUPTA: Well, I think the big tip, you know, first of all, you and I talking about it, I think men actually recognizing that depression is common among men, and, again, six million men in America. Set realistic goals. A lot of men oftentimes unrealistic in terms of what they're trying to achieve. That can actually worsen depression. Confide in someone. Men oftentimes don't have anyone to talk to about these particular problems, be it a friend or be it a doctor. Activity is important, isolation being the wrong answer.

Expect mood to improve gradually and postpone important decisions. As you know, Bill, CEOs of our company, as well, oftentimes with depression. I talked with Tom Johnson, talked about it recently.

HEMMER: Sure.

GUPTA: And very successful men can have this problem and still function, although it can be a problem.

HEMMER: A great topic. Thanks for sharing it with us today.

GUPTA: Good seeing you.

HEMMER: See you a bit later.

GUPTA: Right.

HEMMER: You won't be far, will you?

GUPTA: I'll be right here.

HEMMER: All right, thank you, Sanjay.

GUPTA: Take care. Sure.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired September 23, 2003 - 07:24   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Medical news now, depression does not discriminate. Twice as common among women. Studies now suggest that men are likely to suffer more. Interesting findings.
And Dr. Sanjay Gupta is here in New York to explain this one -- nice to see you in person yet again.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good to see you.

HEMMER: What does this study say?

GUPTA: Well, it's a big topic, no question about it. Depression in men, about six million men, oftentimes the problem being that it goes unrecognized, which is why it can be so much more problematic than actually women. Not the same number of resources or not the same number seeking resources when it comes to men and depression.

There's going to be a huge campaign, actually. The National Institute of Mental Health -- you're going to hear a lot about this over the upcoming few weeks and months, radio, television, talking about depression in men, real depression, real men getting that problem.

Lots of people know the symptoms of depression. Those are no big secret. They're feelings of sad, anxiousness, hopelessness, guilty feelings, loss of interest, decreased energy, as well. Those are some of the feelings of depression in both men and women.

But when it comes to men, there are some unique, more unique symptoms and I think this is what makes it particularly problematic, for men in particular, as compared to women. They're less likely to acknowledge the problem. I think that is the problem right there. Less likely to seek treatment as a result of that, more likely to self-medicate, not just with anti-depressants but with alcohol. And as a result, perhaps, four times as likely to commit suicide, as well. Men, when they do attempt suicide, often with much more violent means than with women, oftentimes, as you know, Bill, linked to depression, as well.

HEMMER: Yes, I thought the article was interesting, "Real Men Get the Blues" is the title for this.

GUPTA: Yes.

HEMMER: A 54-year-old man saying he was empty, unmotivated, detached from the people around him and, he says, it was normal for me. GUPTA: That's right.

HEMMER: He didn't even notice it.

GUPTA: And when you talk about the symptoms of depression in women versus men, women often describe some of the more classic symptoms, whereas men do describe feelings, as you say, of hopelessness, angry, being disorganization, for example, things like that that maybe you wouldn't naturally associate with depression, but men oftentimes manifest signs of depression differently.

HEMMER: Give us some advice, quickly, tips for men who may want to deal with this.

GUPTA: Well, I think the big tip, you know, first of all, you and I talking about it, I think men actually recognizing that depression is common among men, and, again, six million men in America. Set realistic goals. A lot of men oftentimes unrealistic in terms of what they're trying to achieve. That can actually worsen depression. Confide in someone. Men oftentimes don't have anyone to talk to about these particular problems, be it a friend or be it a doctor. Activity is important, isolation being the wrong answer.

Expect mood to improve gradually and postpone important decisions. As you know, Bill, CEOs of our company, as well, oftentimes with depression. I talked with Tom Johnson, talked about it recently.

HEMMER: Sure.

GUPTA: And very successful men can have this problem and still function, although it can be a problem.

HEMMER: A great topic. Thanks for sharing it with us today.

GUPTA: Good seeing you.

HEMMER: See you a bit later.

GUPTA: Right.

HEMMER: You won't be far, will you?

GUPTA: I'll be right here.

HEMMER: All right, thank you, Sanjay.

GUPTA: Take care. Sure.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com