When The bright Side Isn’t so Bright…

WARNING: This article is not intended to kill your Friday mood. Depression is a serious matter affecting both men and women.

Imagine if you had a day each week dedicated to complaining. I know this sounds a little bit crazy. The happiness gurus encourage us to look on the bright side and be grateful at all times. Look outside, the sun is shining and the birds are singing (as if they have more options) and be happy. “Be content with the little that you have and be grateful for what you lost as well” – so they would say. It as if nobody is allowed to be angry or complain.

Like when you lose your job, everyone would say “worry not, you’ll get a better one”. Or “at least you have savings, some people go to bed without food”. That’s today’s motivation. No matter how pathetic or sad you feel, you can’t express those emotions unless you want be seen as weak. The pressure to be “happy” is just too much! Our generation is highly medicated, depressed and unhappy.      It is quite healthy to cry and express what you genuinely feel inside.

Of course, there’s a difference between having a bad day and being depressed. These unhealthy coping strategies may be clue that you depression.

Like women with depression, men with depression may: 

• Feel sad, hopeless or empty
• Feel extremely tired
• Have difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Not get pleasure from activities usually enjoyed

Other behaviours in men that could be signs of depression ― but not recognized as such ― include: 

• Escapist behaviour, such as spending a lot of time at work or on sports
• Problems with alcohol or drug use
• Physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive problems and pain
• Controlling, violent or abuse behaviour
• Irritability or inappropriate anger
• Risky behaviour, such as reckless driving

Bro, seeking for assistance  is not a sign of weakness behaviour ― it takes a real man to ask for help.

Click here to become a Manbox member and be the best version of yourself

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram