This study employed grounded theory methodology to analyze men's' descriptions of their experiences of depression. The sample included 15 male participants between the ages of 24 and 75. After completing a brief screening process, participants attended an interview lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. Eight participants attended follow-up interviews lasting between 15 and 45 minutes. Interview questions were developed by a six-member research team and were designed to elucidate the participants' signs and symptoms of depression, their help-seeking processes, and their experiences with treatment and recovery. Results yielded 10 primary themes that captured the distinct ways the men identified, experienced, and managed their depression. A model for men's experiences of depression was developed. The results of this study are discussed in the context of existing research on depression in men. Recommendations for future research on men's depression, as well as suggestions for clinical practice with men are also presented.

Psychologists increasingly recognize depression as a serious, albeit often undiagnosed, condition in men. In fact, undiagnosed and untreated depression in men may be one reason why many more men than women commit suicide. However, because of cultural conditioning that discourages expression of depressed mood in men, assessment as well as treatment of depression in men are sometimes difficult. Use of gender-sensitive assessment strategies and interventions will assure that more men will be identified and treated for depression. This article integrates scientific findings related to depression in men with specific gender-sensitive assessment and psychotherapeutic intervention strategies designed to enhance psychologists' skills in working with this significant problem in men.Historically, clinicians as well as scientists have believed that men, in contrast to women, are protected from depression. Rates of mental disorders as well as hospital and outpatient census figures have tended to support this viewpoint (Nolen-Hoeksema, 1995;Robins & Reiger, 1991). However, because large numbers of men suffer from problems closely related to depression, such as alcohol and drug abuse (Hanna & Grant, 1997), and because suicide rates in men continue to be alarmingly high (Moscicki, 1997), many men who are depressed remain unidentified, undiagnosed, and untreated. Furthermore, because fewer men than women seek help for psychological problems (Vessey & Howard, 1993), untreated depression may ultimately diminish the quality of life and psychosocial adjustment for many men.In response to these concerns, recent popular (e.g., Lynch &

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