The Pain Behind the Mask: Overcoming Masculine Depression (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Appearances can be deceiving..." (more)
Key Phrases: masculine depression, locker room chorus, masculine dilemma, Dad Zone, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Focuses on our most destructive social and mental health problem-masculine depression-which goes unrecognized and leads to the violence, abuse, and self-neglect that wreck so many lives. Their book could not be clearer or more compassionate. It is right on target and sorely needed." -- Frank S. Pittman, III, MD, Author, Man Enough: Fathers, Sons, and the Search for Masculinity and Grow Up! How Taking Responsibility Can Make You a Happy Adult

"Lynch and Kilmartin address a central problem in the contemporary crisis of gender, namely the male tendency to experience depression as a disconnection from self and others. The Pain Behind The Mask delineates the damaging effects of masculine depression . . . and points the way for men to heal in the context of relationships." -- Ronald F. Levant, EdD, Co-author, Masculinity Reconstructed, and Dean, Department of Psychology, Nova Southeastern University --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

From The Pain Behind the Mask: Overcoming Masculine Depression, you will discover how masculine development precludes your male clients toward the two defining characteristics of masculine depression: dissociating from feelings and acting out suppressed feelings in destructive behaviors. Depression in men is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, which is why it often goes untreated. This unique book does not portray men as victims, but seeks to describe a man’s responsibility and proposes realistic strategies for change.

The Pain Behind the Mask is written in easy-to-follow question and answer format to guide you through various subtopics discussed within each general area. Through The Pain Behind the Mask, you will learn new techniques and strategies to help improve the lives of men who suffer from depression by:

• gaining new insight into how understanding destructive behaviors as a masculine form of depression leads to new treatments for this condition
  
• discovering effective treatments for masculine depression that account for the origins and meaning of a man’s behavior in a relationship
  
• analyzing case studies to help you gain a better understanding of the various characteristics and dynamics of masculine depression
  
• finding useful ways to conceptualize and intervene with clients who display symptoms of masculine depression
  
• learning to address the underlying causes of problem behavior instead of dealing solely with the outward appearance to recognize and treat masculine depression
  
  The Pain Behind the Mask deals with the problems of masculine depression by helping you acquire workable solutions. This indispensable book will help you understand the roots of masculine depression so you can guide your clients toward positive and self-healing attitudes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (March 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789005581
• ISBN-13: 978-0789005588
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #914,465 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars we need more books like this, June 11, 2003

By	"a_counselor" (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews

I have recommended this book to many friends and clients, and it has been very helpful to them. In the process of ordering another copy, I just read a review that refers to it as "a waste of time" for men. I disagree! But then again, no book is a one-size fits all...

This book is a better fit for men who have been depressed in an atypical way and who need a different perspective to understand themselves and get better. (The current working model of depression reflects more culturally "feminine" traits.) This book suggests that when a man abuses alcohol or drugs, becomes aggressive after a loss, or intimidates others with his 'bad moods', it is easy to overlook the vulnerable emotions behind self-destructive behaviors and violent behaviors. It's just as easy to miss the underlying clinical depression. The core value of this book is to suggest that we look beneath the mask. Written more as a self-help book than a textbook, it is shorter on theory and research than I like. But it is geared to a lay audience and succeeds in this way. There are many case studies and practical suggestions that the author's have successfully used in clinical practice.

Simply put, this book has been needed for quite a while. But it may not fit everyone in the same way.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pain Behind the Mask, January 14, 2000

By	pat bailey (richmond,va) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pain Behind the Mask: Overcoming Masculine Depression (Hardcover)

This book should be required reading for both men and women,since we all want happy relationships.Because male depression goes unrecognized and leads to self-neglect,violence and abuse, society is dealing with the repurcussions constantly.

For me, the best part of the book was the steps that men need to undertake to change. At the end of every chapter, affect, behavior and cognition instructs how to do this. As the mother of two boys, and the ex-wife of a man who has never acknowledged his depression this book has given me insight into the culture that unfortunately sees this inability to relate as being"male"This is a much needed book!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars useful insight, February 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pain Behind the Mask: Overcoming Masculine Depression (Hardcover)

Having trouble with the man in my life and wanting to help, I set out to find answers. This book is a great window into the head of the men in your life, and the reasons why they do what they do. It gives alot of background info, as well as some advice on how to change things for the better. The book is aimed at men, by men, so isn't preachy, or threatening,- but I definately recommend it for women to read before they pass it on to the guys.
Ultimately, it's the man that has to want to heal, but understanding what they're going through can help the women be there for them while they do.