Emotional intimacy outside a relationship can shatter trust and deepen emotional wounds. But what many don’t realize is how often these emotional affairs are fueled by something deeper, untreated depression in men. Men often internalize emotional struggles, leading to behavior changes that hurt their relationships.
In this article, we explore the powerful link between emotional affairs and depression in males, how to recognize the signs, and what can be done to heal both the individual and the relationship.
What is Depression In Males?
Depression causes distress in daily life activities and affects how you think, act, and perceive the world. Depression in males is often misunderstood because they express it in a different way due to societal stigma. From childhood, boys are taught not to cry and not to feel soft emotions. However, feelings and emotions are part of human beings and can be expressed by any gender. Men often express their emotions through aggression, anger, and changes in behavior.
What are the Signs of Depression in Males?
The symptoms of depression persist for weeks or months and cause severe problems in daily life.
These include:
- Lack of energy
- Lack of sex drive
- Suicidal thoughts
- Anxiety
- Problems with attention
- Less energy
- Hopelessness
What are Emotional Affairs in a Relationship?
An emotional affair is marked as being attached to someone emotionally without any commitment, and having a bond of trust, friendship, or closeness. In emotional affairs, a betrayer gives more importance to the other person instead of their own partner.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of an Emotional Affair?
Here are some signs of emotional cheating:
These include:
- Lack of emotional bond with the spouse
- Telling personal things to others
- Focusing more on the other person
- Getting more attached to someone who is not your partner
What is the Prevalence of Depression in Men?
Around 3.6% of the men suffer from depression around the world. Depression in men remains untreated because of the societal stigma.
How frequently do Emotional Affairs Occur?
Affairs and cheating are everywhere; approximately 45 % of individuals have gone through cheating in a relationship.
The Connection Between Depression in Men and Emotional Affairs
1. Does Male Depression Lead to Emotional Affairs?
Men in depression don’t express their feelings and emotions and deal with their problems themselves. They cope with their sadness and worries through alcohol, meeting friends, talking to somebody, or having an extramarital affair.
Moreover, depression leads to sexual tensions, so they create an emotional attachment with someone where they can talk, cry, and tell their weakness without the fear of being judged.
2. Emotional Affairs as a Stress Management Technique
Men with depression often have a lack of intimacy or sexual satisfaction at home. They look for the things that are missing in their spouse. Moreover, a man with low self-esteem finds more comfort with the other person.
3. Psychological Link
Men often engage in emotional affairs when they don’t feel as satisfied as they expected, and this causes emotional withdrawal from their spouse. And this leads to emotional affairs with someone else who will understand and give some relief.
4. Behavioral Tendencies
Betraying your partner emotionally is also related to depression; for example, if your partner is the reason for your depression, you may go and meet someone else to feel a bit relaxed.
5. Emotional Sensitivity
Individuals who are more sensitive and experience emotions more deeply may be further led to depression. Depressed men are often looking for emotional support. It can be a friend or a colleague as well, and by talking to someone, they feel emotionally better.
How does Depression Contribute to Emotional Affairs?
- Men in depression have a lack of self-worth that contributes to a disconnection from their partner. And this may lead to having emotional support elsewhere.
- Depression makes them feel unloved and unworthy.
- Men with depression disconnect with their spouses and divert their attention somewhere else.
- They seek support somewhere else, instead of their spouse, because they can’t open up in front of them.
- Emotional affairs act as an escape from depression.
How Male Depression Affects Marriage and Family?
Relationships are badly affected by male depression, and the whole family suffers because of it. An individual suffering from depression stays irritated and angry, which causes distance between family members and the spouse. Depression causes trust issues and betrayal, making others unwanted.
Read More: What is the impact of depression on daily life?
What are the Consequences of an Emotional Affair?
Both individuals participating in the emotional affair feel constant guilt and thrill. Because they know they are doing wrong, and this causes stress and affects their mental health as well.
However, the betrayed partner feels anger, aggression, and low self-esteem.
How Can Men Avoid Emotional Affairs While Depressed?
Men can prevent emotional affairs by talking openly with their partners, communicating about anything without the fear of being judged or misunderstood. Spend quality time with your partners and maintain a friendship with your spouse.
Moreover, another way of avoiding emotional affairs is to talk clearly with your partner, even if you feel like you’re falling for someone else. Share these feelings with your partner without the fear of any conflicts or misunderstandings.
Male Depression and Suicide
- Men use methods that actually cause death.
- They show fewer signs of depression.
- Fewer warning signs.
- Men are more prone to substance abuse, which increases the risk of suicide.
- They act suddenly, think, and do suicide.
What Treatment Options are Available to Treat Depression in Males?
If you feel like depression is causing issues with your personal life, seek professional help.
1. Psychiatric Medication for Depression
Depression occurs in daily life activities and causes stress in relationships, family, and work. Healthcare professionals check the symptoms, medical history, and then recommend medications that will be helpful.
Theses include
- SSRIs
- SNRIs
- Tricyclic Antidepressants
- Atypical Antidepressants
2. Therapies
Therapies are very effective for treating depression with the combination of medications.
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
CBT is helpful for people with depression and those who think in a negative way. CBT changes the whole perspective, negative approaches, and behaviors. It helps in resolving the issues by talking.
4. Couples Counseling:
In this therapy, couples talk about marital problems and learn new techniques to manage these issues, to live a happy, fulfilling life.
5. Building a Support System
Dealing with depression needs extra care and support from family and friends. Friends and family can help the best way, by sharing and communicating, they create a feeling of togetherness. However, engaging in support groups can also be helpful; you speak about your problems and listen to others.
6. Healthy lifestyle Changes
By following these lifestyle changes, you will feel healthy.
These include:
- Swimming
- Exercise
- Weight training
- Healthy nutrient food
- Maintain a sleep cycle
Take the First Step Towards Relief
Are you struggling to find a place where you can get finest mental health treatment in privacy without the fear of being judged? Does depression become part of life and cause distress? Brainpower Wellness Institute is a premier platform where you can get the best psychiatric services for all individuals, including children, adolescents, and adults. At Brain Power Wellness Institute, we have a team of professional experts who treat a wide range of psychiatric issues and tailor every treatment plan to your unique needs, whether it’s anxiety, depression, OCD, or more.
We believe mental health treatment should be accessible and respectful for every individual. That means listening without judgment, in a warm and safe environment. Don’t wait to get help! Book your initial consultation today.
Final Remarks
Mental health problems are on the rise, and depression is the most common mental disorder that can develop in both males and females. However, males remain untreated because of the societal stigma, also they don’t express their feelings. Moreover, depression in males causes extreme stress for both partners. Men in depression often have emotional affairs with someone else, where they feel more understood, and talk about their feelings openly. This emotional affair causes extreme stress for the family and the spouse. Men with depression need extra support and care. If you see any signs of depression, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.
