Depression - Talking to a Man about Depression
I discussed in an earlier SharePost how the mental health community is beginning to accept the idea that men tend to exhibit depressive symptoms differently than women. Instead of feeling sadness, a man may feel angry or irritable. Instead of losing interest in activities he previously enjoyed, a man may drink too much or engage in risky behavior.
Now that it’s easier to recognize depression symptoms in a man we know, our next step is to talk to him about it. However, that’s easier said than done. I was involved with a man who went through bouts of depression. It was understandable - he had had a rough childhood and had a parent who was mentally ill. I knew when he was going through a bout - he would drink heavily. But when I would bring up the topic, he would insist that he wasn’t depressed - he was just “in a funk.”
If you want to talk to a man about depression, or have already tried, you may be realizing that it’s a tough subject. The biggest stumbling block may be the threat that being depressed poses to a man’s masculinity. (By the way, I absolutely hate generalizing about any group of people, but unfortunately it’s essential here). If we look at some of the icons of manhood - John Wayne, James Bond, Clint Eastwood - they all have one thing in common. They’re stoic and unemotional. Not the best role models for a man when he’s struggling with depression. Following their example, he would never talk about how he feels about anything, let alone something like depression.
Read on
March 20th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Hi, I apologize for the ‘form’ letter but it is the easiest way to pass word most quickly.
I am thrilled with the response to the MS Blogger project started at my blog, Brass and Ivory. I appreciate all those who took time to post about it on their blogs. I have discovered even more bloggers who have MS, whether they blog about the MS or not. A new listing is available at MS Blogger Community Project Revised.
Secondly, I’m looking for submissions for next week’s Carnival of MS Bloggers. Information can be found at the end of each issue archived at Carnival of MS Bloggers. What I’m looking for this week are posts related to creativity. I discovered so many new bloggers who quilt, or knit, or crochet, or write, or photograph, etc. Basically, what do you do to express yourself?
Thank you so much for participating.
Lisa Emrich
P.S. I also apologize for any increased ’spamming’ of blog comments due to my growing linklist of bloggers with MS. For that I am sincerely sorry.