When it comes to expressing emotions men aren’t best at it. But why?

Phrases like ‘Man up’, ‘Men don’t cry’, and ‘Men are strong’ are commonly used in men’s world.

This is just a stereotypical example, men are often taught to appear strong. Not just by words but the examples they are shown. 

This leaves a strong imprint in their psychology which makes it difficult for men to show their vulnerable side as it means to be weak and unattractive. Not talking about their emotion can result in repressed emotion.

Whereas for women, it’s more acceptable to cry and talk about how they feel.

“Women and men are designed differently,” says Psychotherapist Dr Damber Raj Bhatta from Bhatta Foundation. “Repressed emotion in men can result in anger whereas women carry guilt and regret,” he adds.

“Men tend to turn to path of addiction: Alcohol, drugs, porn, cigarettes to numb their frustration which makes it unable for them to express their feelings or cry,” says Dr Bhatta

It becomes a loop which makes it harder and harder to express their emotion.

The more we don’t talk about men’s mental health, we miss out on the burden they carry around.

A lot of physical abuses that men have to deal with go unreported. Men are uncomfortable sharing about such things. “In trauma therapy, it takes about five to six sessions to share about the physical abuses they have suffered,” informs Dr Bhatta. He says it is a lot more difficult for men to open up about their secrets than women.

There is no permanent solution for this, however talking about it during our normal conversations, bring about awareness, creating an environment to discuss about it without making anyone feel like a victim would help them express their emotions, says Dr Bhatta.