So a depressed man - even one trying hard to deal honestly with inner pain - first has to undo a lot of learned life experience. The habits of emotional denial, blaming others for his problems, anger and aggression - and the rest - have to stop before meaningful recovery can begin.

Of course, many people have different experiences, and I’d like to know what your sense is of the differences between men and women when it comes to depression. Has your own upbringing and personality helped free you from the stereotypical roles of men and women? Do you think gender really plays a big role in the behaviors of depressed people?

In the next few posts, I’ll go more deeply into my own experience of living through the aggressive side of men’s depression. I hope we can have a good discussion about these issues.