The conditioning associated with the male label

"We expect the male labeled to be silent and strong, and thus not admit to vulnerabilities.  Depression is the king of vulnerabilities, and so shame silences you...
As the United States is a patriarchal society, this conditioning influences the dominant view of emotions.  The approach preferred by many with power or authority is to focus outwards, on achievement and power.  Depression, anxiety, and trauma are all rather inconvenient truths that many people would rather not hear about."
  
Untreated depression, anxiety, and trauma poses a threat to us all, so we need to challenge the assumptions we make about the male label.

Chris Warren-Dickins LLB MA LPC
Psychotherapist & Author of Beyond the Blue
www.chriswarrendickins.com