Men and women handle stress and depression differently (both take a greater toll on men as compared to women). The recession made 2009 a difficult year and it is looking bleak so far in 2010 for many Americans. Recent statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics might indicate as much. The BLS recently released statistics showing that men held 78 percent of jobs lost during the recession, and that women's wages have risen by 1.2 percent more than men's over the past two years.

These numbers have some calling the recent recession a "mancession," while others point out that these numbers could be interpreted in a variety of ways. For example, men may have lost more jobs because many of the jobs that have been cut were in the manufacturing and construction industries. And women's wages may have risen at a faster rate, but most women are still making less than the men doing the same jobs as them. For many men, being able to talk about their feelings of vulnerability or sadness is impossible. Women, on the other hand, are comfortable talking about the stress they feel. Women are "allowed" to cry and find comfort talking to other women about how they feel. Men relate more by being competitive and focused with each other. Very seldom will they tell a buddy how they feel. Because of that stigma, many men keep their emotions hidden, and as a result can't handle the recession stress quite as well as their female counterparts.

Women are used to doing most of the household chores. Along with that comes an understanding that life goes on. Sammy still needs money to buy Popsicles at lunch and Kim needs her uniform washed before practice in the morning. Men, on the other hand, because they generally aren't worrying about all of these other factors at home, can get bogged down in the negatives they have to deal with at work. Men are more defined by their careers, and when work isn't going well it is easier for many men to feel like they aren’t doing well. Their focus on their work leaves them unbalanced during times of job insecurity.

Women are more secure in their outside network than men. They have more clubs, groups, and associations in which to belong and network. Men have a tendency to spend less time with groups or networking. They go it alone more frequently than women, so when they are troubled or worried they are less apt to share with other men who could potentially help them with encouragement and advice.

Women have always been paid less for our work than men. There is strength in that during a recession. We understand that we may have to be more flexible or improvise. Women are resourceful because they have had to be (it wasn't that long ago when we couldn't even vote!). Men, due to their history of being the breadwinner, feel like failures if they have to step down, or take a less than deserved shift. Their ability to be flexible in the work place is not as developed as a woman's. Everyone knows an oak tree suffers more damage in a storm than a willow.

Men experience feelings of anger two times the rate as women when they lose their job. The emotion most likely to affect the heart, blood pressure, and overall health in a negative way is anger. Men are more likely to turn to violence when they are angry. Women, on the other hand, turn more frequently to crying, which is actually healthy for the body.Part of being married is watching your spouse and trying to encourage and help them when they are down. Below are signs and symptoms to pay attention to if you your spouse behaving this way more frequently.

Signs and symptoms of a spouse who is suffering from stress related job loss or job insecurity:

• Performing less well at work
• Unusually quiet, unable to talk about things
• Worrying about things more than usual
• More irritable than usual
• Complaining more about vague physical problems

Severe signs of stress and depression (take note especially if these have been going on for more than two weeks):

• Feeling sad or unhappy
• High levels of anxiety
• Low energy
• Difficulties concentrating
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Losing interest in activities or people
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of sex drive
• Lapses in personal hygiene, such as not bathing or shaving as regularly
• Thoughts of suicide (call 911 when and if you ever feel this way)

As I write this, it is important to note that men are almost 3 times more likely to kill themselves than women. Suicide is most common amongst men who are separated, widowed, or divorced, and is more common with men who are heavy drinkers. Over the last few years, men have become more likely to kill themselves, particularly those between the ages of 16 and 24 years, and those between 39 and 54 years. No one knows why this is so, but it is very troubling. If you notice the man in your life becoming more and more despondent or withdrawn, and avoiding the things that used to bring him joy, it is time to consult a doctor. The recession will run its course, but stress and depression can end your life.