Men and Therapy: A Case of Masked Male Depression

Socialization influences may result in a masking of men's symptoms of depression. This masking renders assessment a challenge for most clinicians, who are often sidetracked by more-immediate presenting concerns (relationship or job loss, developmental transitions, or alcohol or substance abuse). Clinicians may overlook a longer-term and more pernicious underlying mood disorder. This case presentation describes the assessment and treatment of a 53-year-old White male in both group and individual therapy. He initially sought a men's therapy group for support for developmental transitions but was actually suffering from a more severe underlying depression. The theoretical rationale and treatment implications for working with masked depression in men are presented.