Male covert depression often goes unnoticed because it doesn’t look like what we typically expect depression to look like. Rather than overt sadness, it can present as irritability, emotional withdrawal, overworking, numbness, or a growing sense of disconnection—both internally and within intimate relationships.

Influenced by cultural expectations around masculinity, many men learn early to suppress vulnerability and prioritise competence over emotional expression. Over time, this disconnection can harden into a quiet but pervasive form of depression that impacts not only the individual, but also their partner and family life.

This work explores the hidden nature of male covert depression, how it shows up in relationships, and why understanding it is essential for healing, emotional intimacy, and long-term relational health.

Learning to regulate your nervous system is perhaps one of the most profound acts of self-care you can undertake. It’s the foundation upon which everything else—secure attachment, meaningful relationships, resilience, and well-being—is built.

Self esteem affects the relationship with have with ourselves, how we feel about ourselves and the world around us and it is intimately connected to the quality of our relationships.

The experience of Relational Trauma can give rise to any number of adaptive behaviours. Because of our genius when we are young (don’t worry, I still think you’re brilliant) it is natural for us to create adaptations when we experience something that feels overwhelming for us.