The Washington PostThe Washington Post

Too many men ignore their depression, phobias, other mental health issues

By Joseph Harper

03 Jul 2021 · 5 min read

It was another Monday morning and my first patient of the day walked in. He was a man in his mid-30s who came to see me for stress and anxiety. He appeared nervous and had trouble getting his words out. And the thing I remember most - which I see again and again with many of the men I treat - was his inability to maintain eye contact with me. It's a telltale sign of fear and shame.

Many men recently have become better at taking control of their physical health, being more heart healthy and getting preventive screenings such as colonoscopies as they get older, but when it comes to their mental health, too many men still struggle, lagging way behind women.

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