Both traditional and male-typical symptoms increased the odds of initially seeking help from a medical provider, and men with male-typical symptoms had an overall higher likelihood of seeking help from a medical provider. Male-typical symptoms, however, did not increase the odds of seeking help for depression or another mental health concern. Traditional symptoms increased the odds of seeking help for depression for all men. Using data from 2,382 male respondents in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, the authors examined the relationship that both traditional and male-typical symptoms of depression had on the help-seeking behaviors of men.
Gendered manifestations of depressive symptoms may play an important role in why some men do not seek help for mental health issues.
Men who do not seek help for mental health problems may experience unnecessary suffering which ultimately affects the well-being of themselves and others.