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I Don't Want to Talk about It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression by Terrence Real
heidihaverkamp's review
4.0
Great book about men, depression, marriage, families... Really eye-opening for me, in terms of my own family, church work, and men and women in general. Sometimes a bit dated - I think younger men might have different stories to tell.
fkshg8465's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This should be required reading for all people who call themselves men and every pain in relationship (or trying to be in relationship) with them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Incest, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Abandonment
mudboywa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
4.25
narration was spot on. a bit dated (most of the composite characters are Boomer-era fathers) and a little all-over the place/repetitive but still a moving, important book on men's mental health, how it presents itself, and its impact on families and relationships. very important reading.
jpmaguire2's review
4.0
In "I Don't Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression," Terrence Real offers profound insights into the often misunderstood and concealed world of male depression. Drawing from over twenty years of clinical experience, Real delves deep into the male psyche, revealing how societal expectations and personal traumas contribute to a unique form of depression in men, often masked by destructive behaviors like substance abuse, violence, or domestic issues.
Real's approach to this sensitive topic is both empathetic and educational. He skillfully weaves together clinical observations with real-life stories, bringing to light the silent struggles many men endure. His detailed accounts of how depression manifests differently in men, often through 'acting out' rather than traditional symptoms, make this book an invaluable resource not just for men, but for anyone looking to understand the complexities of male mental health.
One of the most significant contributions of this book is its exploration of how male depression doesn't just affect the individual but also impacts families and relationships, often carrying on through generations. Real shares stories of men who have bravely confronted their inner turmoil, providing a blueprint for others to follow.
However, the book isn't without its limitations. Some readers might find the plethora of stories overwhelming and the lack of a structured system for understanding these complex ideas a bit disorienting. Male depression, as Real presents it, doesn't always follow a predictable or clean pattern, making it a challenging subject to pin down in a more structured format. This might leave some readers desiring a more clear-cut approach.
In conclusion, "I Don't Want to Talk About It" is a vital read for anyone interested in the subtleties of male depression and mental health. Real's compassionate and insightful writing sheds much-needed light on this often-overlooked issue. While it may lack a definitive system for understanding the breadth of male depression, its depth of real-world examples and professional insights make it a valuable resource for both men and women seeking to understand this complex and critical issue.
Real's approach to this sensitive topic is both empathetic and educational. He skillfully weaves together clinical observations with real-life stories, bringing to light the silent struggles many men endure. His detailed accounts of how depression manifests differently in men, often through 'acting out' rather than traditional symptoms, make this book an invaluable resource not just for men, but for anyone looking to understand the complexities of male mental health.
One of the most significant contributions of this book is its exploration of how male depression doesn't just affect the individual but also impacts families and relationships, often carrying on through generations. Real shares stories of men who have bravely confronted their inner turmoil, providing a blueprint for others to follow.
However, the book isn't without its limitations. Some readers might find the plethora of stories overwhelming and the lack of a structured system for understanding these complex ideas a bit disorienting. Male depression, as Real presents it, doesn't always follow a predictable or clean pattern, making it a challenging subject to pin down in a more structured format. This might leave some readers desiring a more clear-cut approach.
In conclusion, "I Don't Want to Talk About It" is a vital read for anyone interested in the subtleties of male depression and mental health. Real's compassionate and insightful writing sheds much-needed light on this often-overlooked issue. While it may lack a definitive system for understanding the breadth of male depression, its depth of real-world examples and professional insights make it a valuable resource for both men and women seeking to understand this complex and critical issue.
katyv15's review
5.0
Author has perfectly explained the factors and consequences of depression in male. I'm no psycho-therapist but even u could understand the situations that could lead men to face serious outcomes. Specially when he said that male and female depression symptoms vary and how fine the author has compared both was fantabulous.
We often forget to give the liberty to "Talk" to men and hence they keep everything in and lose it at some point. This is not something that can be neglected or taken casually. Women are expressive in ways that men can never be or they're "not allowed" to be. These cultural stigmas must stop and should treat men and women equally.
It was a wonderful read and for me, it's 5/5.
We often forget to give the liberty to "Talk" to men and hence they keep everything in and lose it at some point. This is not something that can be neglected or taken casually. Women are expressive in ways that men can never be or they're "not allowed" to be. These cultural stigmas must stop and should treat men and women equally.
It was a wonderful read and for me, it's 5/5.