One way of defining depression is to call it anger turned inward. Some people, especially those who are introverted, bottle up their feelings of anger and depression instead of letting out their rage and sadness.

Even though men in our society are less apt to cry or show their emotions, men are just as likely to experience anger and depression as women. When men feel anger or depression, they often cover up their feelings.

Men are often afraid to cry because they might be considered a wimp. Boys who might feel anger or depression are ridiculed for showing emotion and learn to hide feelings instead of being shamed. Men may hide feelings of sadness or shame by expressing anger. They may even show their anger when they are really feeling depression or fear.

While depression and anger might seem as though they are opposites, the underlying emotions are often the same.

People who are angry feel intense, loud, powerful while people who are experiencing depression come across as though they have given up the fight. However, the nagging feelings beneath the surface are painful emotions. To be more scientific about the similarities, people with depression and anger could be experiencing a chemical imbalance that leads them to either externalize or internalize their anger.

Depression and anger are similar in that they both affect the human immune system. All people, but especially older men, may have a weakened immune system due to depression and anger. Depression is particularly common in people who are taking care of loved ones with major illnesses. Caregivers and older men are the most vulnerable to depression and anger due to the tremendous stress they feel.

Researchers studied 82 senior citizens who cared for a spouse with Alzheimer's disease. They hoped to find a connection between depression, anger and the immune system by comparing the subjects to a control group of 83 married non-caregivers of the same age and gender.

The study showed feelings of depression in men were connected to a diminished immune response. The men, they found felt depression due to feelings of loneliness. Older men experience depression because they don't talk about their problems and have fewer friends.

Men are also not traditionally the ones who act as caregivers. Therefore, men who care for ill spouses might feel even more stress that leads to anger and depression because they can't cope with the responsibilities. The study showed men had a higher level of stress hormones released in their bodies when facing the stress of caring for an ill spouse.

Meanwhile, higher level of anger correlated to reduced immune function in both in the males and females. Even more interesting to note, the combination of anger and stress appeared to result in reduced immune function. Judging from the results of the study, it would appear the best way to deal with feelings of anger and depression is to talk it out and form a close circle of friends.

Anger has been linked to depression in many other studies as well. In one 1993 study, anger attacks were found in more than 40 percent of subjects with major depression.

People with anger or depression might want to consult a professional such as psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor or minister. A professional might diagnose a person with depression and anger as being bi-polar. It's not uncommon for psychiatrists to prescribe antidepressants to people who express a mix of tearfulness, euphoria, anger and irritability. However, only a medical doctor can prescribe medication. Furthermore, a professional will be better equipped to judge whether or not the anger and depression are fleeing based on traumatic event or part of a chemical imbalance.

Serotonin is often referred to as the body's natural mood-altering drug and changes in serotonin levels can quickly alter mood. If serotonin levels drop to low levels, depression is almost sure to follow. Some antidepressant medications work specifically to affect the action of serotonin. Deprex, a natural antidepressant, naturally works to stimulant serotonin levels without the side effects commonly associated with antidepressants.