Low mood in men doesn't always look sad. It can look like a short temper, more drinking, or taking risks you normally wouldn't. Evidence: decent
Where that comes from: researchers took a second look at a large US mental health survey and scored those signs too. On the male-type signs alone, 26.3 per cent of men met the bar for depression, against 21.9 per cent of women. Added to the usual symptoms, men and women came out about even. Evidence: decent
That's a modest gap, from one reanalysis, using a checklist the same researchers built. It doesn't prove men have a separate, hidden kind of depression. What it does say: if you've been angry for weeks and can't say why, sadness isn't the only thing to check for.
If it fits, go through the two questions.
Same theme: In your head
In your head
Expect less, enjoy more
Before something you're looking forward to, lower the bar on purpose.
no timeEvidence: worth trying
In your head
Name it in one word
When something's got you, say what it is, plainly. "Annoyed." "Embarrassed." "Scared." Out loud or on paper.
no timeEvidence: decent
In your head
Stay two minutes past the urge to leave
When you want out of a hard conversation (change the subject, pick up the phone, walk off), stay two more minutes and keep listening.
2 minEvidence: worth trying