Is it normal for a teen guy to be overly stressed/depressed?

67% Normal
5 Comments

My guy best friend and I are pretty tight. We were having a serious conversation the other day, and he said he hates that he gets stressed out over everything, hates his anxiety, and that he doesn't enjoy the things he usually does anymore :/
At another point in time, he said that he's always depressed, except for when he talks to me x3 But yeah. Btw he doesn't usually whine or do anything for attention, there were literally maybe 3 times he talked about his feelings during the 4 years I've known him.
Is this normal, and guys just don't talk about it? Is there any way I can help him? I care about him very much, so I'm open to almost anything.

Voting Results
67% Normal
Based on 24 votes (16 yes)
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Comments ( 5 )
  • Terence_the_viking
    9 years ago

    It's a tricky one.

    Society leads us to believe that are hearts are made of stone that real men don't cry. It's ok you need to let him know that you are there for him. Talking can do wonders for piece of mind there is nothing to be ashamed of. If you can't help him ask him to seek professional help.

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  • kobialka
    9 years ago

    Don't worry, man! I have a few diagnosis.

    1) Puberty. Not sure what age he is but if he's 12-15 this is probably the case. Good news! It will all be over soon!

    2) Overly pressured in school. Maybe he's pulled too many all-nighters for homework or he's afraid he'll fail one of his classes. Tell him that it's best to sleep before school if he wants to pass. Also comedy movies are a good cure for anxiety. The healing powers of laughter!

    3) He doesn't know what he's going to do with his life. Maybe no jobs interest him or he's afraid he won't be able to achieve his life goals. Encouragement is really great.

    Also, if he's on anti-depressants tell him to get off them. They purposefully make the depression worse so that you buy more. I know this from experience and I felt much better off of them than on them. Hope I helped!

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  • JoMama123451234
    9 years ago

    There's a stereotype that guys don't talk about feelings. Well to my 3 best friends, I sometimes talk about that stuff but not to anyone else. I've tried before and it usually gets pretty awkward. So your friend must really trust you. If I were you I wouldn't ignore it. For a guy, opening up like that is a big deal because we're supposed to be strong and not talk about feelings. So something must be really bothering him. So I would listen and ask if he wants your advice.

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  • Shackleford96
    9 years ago

    Yeah, most guys don't often talk about their feelings.

    I had a best friend from elementary school all the way up through most of my high school. I am certain now that he became very depressed over the last few years of our friendship due to loneliness and not having a girlfriend. I didn't have a girlfriend either, so we were pretty much in the same boat there but I handled things differently than he did; I had a more strong-willed personality than he did.

    He had never had a girlfriend before. I had (kind of), but was just waiting for someone to come along that I liked again... I wasn't desperate or self-loathing like he was. I was okay with the person I knew I was.

    I think that was the main difference between us and why we eventually grew apart. I haven't talked to him in years, but I still think about him now and then. I hope you're doing alright old friend... Sorry we couldn't stay friends.

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  • Arm0se
    9 years ago

    I don't tell people my feelings because I'm afraid they won't care, or won't understand, and that just makes me feel even worse. But here people don't know me and I can say whatever I want to without the risk of being rejected by the people I care about the most.

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