Societal norms can exacerbate these destructive behaviors, says Addis. We do not encourage men to express their feelings or to seek help, but rather to deal with it independently, like a man. Neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, which relay signals from one brain cell to the next, play key roles. If, because of a genetic abnormality or other cause, neurotransmitter stores are affected, we may suffer depression or any of a number of other psychological problems. In some cases of mild depression , says Harvard Medical School endocrinologist Laurence Katznelson, the cause may be testosterone deficiency, which can bring on classic symptoms such as fatigue, lack of initiative and sexual difficulties.
Hormones are only part of the story , of course.
Alcohol can boost moods temporarily , which may be why some people with depression drink. But heavy drinking itself may produce or worsen symptoms of depression . According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, men are two to three times more likely than women to become alcoholics. While alcohol can cause obvious changes in mood and behavior, the effect of nicotine and some other drugs may be less conspicuous. Not long before the opening game in 1997, major-league pitcher Pete Harnisch quit chewing tobacco.