Can a Brief Screening Tool Help Identify Depression in Men Who May Be Missed by Traditional Tests?

What you need to know

• Traditional depression screening may miss men who express symptoms differently than what’s typically expected
• The new 7-question screening tool identifies depression symptoms more common in men, like anger and risk-taking
• Men showing both traditional and male-typical depression symptoms may be at highest risk for suicide

The Hidden Face of Men’s Depression

When we think of depression, we often picture someone feeling sad, crying frequently, or losing interest in activities they once enjoyed. While these are common symptoms, growing evidence suggests that men may experience and show depression differently. Instead of obvious sadness, men might become more angry or aggressive, engage in risky behaviors, or increase their use of alcohol or drugs. These differences can make it harder to recognize depression in men - even though men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide.

A New Tool for Better Detection

Researchers have developed a brief 7-question screening tool called the Male Depression Risk Scale (MDRS-7) that looks specifically for signs of depression more common in men. The questions ask about:

• Bottling up negative feelings
• Using alcohol to unwind
• Experiencing unexplained aches and pains
• Showing aggressive behavior
• Having difficulty managing anger
• Using drugs for temporary relief
• Stopping care about consequences of actions

This new tool works alongside traditional depression screening questions to provide a more complete picture of someone’s mental health.

Why Traditional Screening Isn’t Enough

While standard depression screening tools are helpful, they may not catch all cases of depression in men. This study found that about 10% of men showed mainly “male-typical” symptoms that might be missed by traditional screening. Even more concerning, men who showed both traditional depression symptoms and male-typical symptoms were at the highest risk for suicide and other mental health problems.

The Age Factor

The researchers looked at both younger (18-64) and older (65+) men and found that the screening tool worked well for both groups. However, younger men were more likely to show the combination of both traditional and male-typical symptoms. This suggests that age may influence how depression manifests, though the core male-typical symptoms remain important to assess across all age groups.

What This Means for You

If you’re a man experiencing mental health challenges, or if you’re concerned about a man in your life:

• Recognize that depression can look different in men
• Watch for signs like increased anger, risk-taking, or substance use
• Know that these symptoms deserve attention, even if you’re not feeling traditionally “depressed”
• Don’t hesitate to seek help - most men do visit healthcare providers regularly
• Share this information with healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive screening

Conclusions

• Depression in men often shows up differently than expected, making it easier to miss
• The new MDRS-7 screening tool helps identify depression symptoms more common in men
• Using both traditional and male-focused screening provides better detection of depression and suicide risk