In comparison
to Thai women,
Thai men do
not seek care
or treatment for
depressive symptoms. The
literature on men
with depression reports
that depressive symptoms
are viewed as
unmasculine. However, little is
known about how
Thai men experience
depression. This qualitative
study aimed to
understand how Thai
men understand having
a depressive disorder.
Twenty-one male patients
were recruited from
a psychiatric out-patient
clinic and a
university hospital in
northeastern Thailand. The
patients lived with
major depressive disorder
for at least
one year. Data
were collected by
in-depth interviews and were tape-recorded. Data were transcribed
verbatim and analyzed by content analysis. Six themes emerged which were
related to masculinity:
(a) a loss
of control, (b)
feeling upside-down, (c)
personal weakness, (d) a lack of understanding, (e) social isolation,
and (f) a wish to lean on something. The findings are discussed in the context
of existing research on depression in men and within the context of masculinity.
Recommendations for future
research on male
depression and implications
for clinical practice with men are presented.