Avoiding emotions and pretending everything is fine takes a toll on your mental health. How you feel matters—and ignoring it only delays healing.

This post explores male depression through I Don’t Want to Talk About It by family therapist Terry Real. The book reveals how many men suppress feelings due to stigma, turning instead to overworking, anger, or substance use. These patterns can damage relationships and deepen personal struggles.

Real offers tools for emotional honesty, challenging outdated beliefs about masculinity and encouraging healthier ways to cope. His insights support healing for both men and their families.

Psychology Today regularly highlights the effects of suppressed emotions in men. Similar to Terry Real’s message, their articles stress the value of vulnerability, connection, and breaking generational patterns of emotional avoidance. Combining expert advice with real-life examples helps more men seek support and take steps toward lasting change.

Male depression is often misunderstood or missed entirely. Unlike typical signs of depression, men may show it through irritability, emotional withdrawal, or work obsession—behaviors society often accepts or even praises.

In this article, we break down what male depression looks like, how it impacts relationships, and what steps you can take to foster connection and healing.

Therapist and author Terry Real defines male depression as a covert issue masked by behaviors like anger and emotional numbness. Without awareness, these patterns can strain partnerships and lead to isolation.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and emotional education are key tools for change. At Online Therapy Ontario, we support men and their partners in recognizing the deeper emotional challenges and creating healthier dynamics.