Post by Rick Redner on Apr 13, 2013 12:12:33 GMT -5
When I received the news that my cancer was confined to my prostate and surgery cured me of prostate cancer I was elated. I never considered the possibility that within a few short weeks I'd hate my life so much, that I became seriously depressed. I withdrew from everyone.
While friends and family were delighted for me, I had to keep my thoughts and feelings a secret, which further isolated me from everyone. I was sorry I treated my prostate cancer. I was convinced I would have been better off living my life and letting whatever happened with my cancer to simply take it's course.
Men frequently experience depression in ways that are different from women. Women are more often than men aware of their sadness when they are depressed. Men often experience their depression by acting out. When a man is depressed he may withdraw from the relationship, using a computer TV or some other activity to zone out and avoid relating. There may be an increase in irritability and the number of fights. A man may turn to alcohol, drugs, pornography, or some other activity to cope with post-surgery depression. This is referred to as "masked depression"
Here are some links about depression (with an emphasis on how men experience depression)
Unmasking Depression in Men
Depression in Men
Signs of Masked Depression in Men & Women
Ambushed By Depression
Depressed After Surgery
Men Not Emotionally Prepared
There's What Help's Men Who Are Depressed
Things You Can Do To Defeat Depression
No one ever warned me of the emotionally devastating impact of loosing both urinary control and erectile functioning. It's highly likely no one prepared you.
If you feel depressed after surgery while everyone else is celebrating, I'm glad you found this thread. You are not alone.
Here's a place you can share your experiences with depression without being judged. It's very important to reach out to others if you are depressed following surgery. Communicating with men further along in the journey of coping with life without a prostate is a wise thing to do.
In my book I Left My Prostate in San Francisco-Where's Yours? I write about the issues men face following surgery that contribute to post-surgical depression. I also share how I overcame my post-surgical depression.
If you found this thread helpful, visit our website. There you'll find lots of useful information as well as links to our Pre & Post Surgery Forums:
Where's Your Prostate Website?
While friends and family were delighted for me, I had to keep my thoughts and feelings a secret, which further isolated me from everyone. I was sorry I treated my prostate cancer. I was convinced I would have been better off living my life and letting whatever happened with my cancer to simply take it's course.
Men frequently experience depression in ways that are different from women. Women are more often than men aware of their sadness when they are depressed. Men often experience their depression by acting out. When a man is depressed he may withdraw from the relationship, using a computer TV or some other activity to zone out and avoid relating. There may be an increase in irritability and the number of fights. A man may turn to alcohol, drugs, pornography, or some other activity to cope with post-surgery depression. This is referred to as "masked depression"
Here are some links about depression (with an emphasis on how men experience depression)
Unmasking Depression in Men
Depression in Men
Signs of Masked Depression in Men & Women
Ambushed By Depression
Depressed After Surgery
Men Not Emotionally Prepared
There's What Help's Men Who Are Depressed
Things You Can Do To Defeat Depression
No one ever warned me of the emotionally devastating impact of loosing both urinary control and erectile functioning. It's highly likely no one prepared you.
If you feel depressed after surgery while everyone else is celebrating, I'm glad you found this thread. You are not alone.
Here's a place you can share your experiences with depression without being judged. It's very important to reach out to others if you are depressed following surgery. Communicating with men further along in the journey of coping with life without a prostate is a wise thing to do.
In my book I Left My Prostate in San Francisco-Where's Yours? I write about the issues men face following surgery that contribute to post-surgical depression. I also share how I overcame my post-surgical depression.
If you found this thread helpful, visit our website. There you'll find lots of useful information as well as links to our Pre & Post Surgery Forums:
Where's Your Prostate Website?