Dr Ruth Thomas - General Practitioner

Today while everyone is "enjoying" the sales of BLACK FRIDAY; I'd like to discuss briefly a medical condition that can leave all your days BLACK.
Seeing that we still in November is all about males, so today's topic: DEPRESSION IN MALES

I have females daily consulting me and can comfortably speak about how down she feels, her worthlessness, insomnia etc - she would ask to be send to psychologist and to be started on medication.

Men on the other hand; feel that they are not allowed to have emotions- let alone feel depressed. According to society, the man should have it all together - All the time.
So I hardly have male patients speaking about their feelings.
I have to dig deep for symptoms of depression/anxiety - and even when there js enough to meet criteria of depression- man are usually very reluctant to accept diagnosis , let alone treatment thereof.

TODAY I want to reassure all men that you to are allowed to feel depressed and anxious. There is no gender base criteria to any psychiatric illness. Depression/anxiety is all treatable illnesses and something that you can overcome.
Most alcohol/drug abuse, su***de/homicide is found amongst men = and maybe this is due to untreated depression/anxiety.

Check yourself with the checkbox and if you feel you might need help- speak to your GP.

1. Depressed(sad, down feeling) mood on most days of the week. Everything looks grey.
2. Poor appetite or increase appetite
3. Poor sleep or sleeping all the time
4. Loss of interest on previously enjoyed activities (no pleasure with doing things that always made you happy)
5. Negative outlook for the future. (Nothing to look forward to)
6. Thoughts/ intentions to harm yourself or others.
7. Excessive alcohol and drug abuse.

See someone of you meet more than 3 of the above

How to self exam. Easy test that may safe your ⚾️⚾️

PROSTAAT KANKER

Tweede op die lys van manlike kankers.
Baie min mans weet hulle het prostaat kanker, omdat dit in vroee stadium nie baie symptome wys nie.

PK ongewild in mans jonger as 45jaar ; meer gewild in ouderdom oor 50.

Jaarlikse ondersoek by GP vir ondersoek baie belangrik.

MOVEMBER

raising awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's su***de.