Please note: This post is not intended to be used a resource for diagnosing mental health conditions. If you are concerned for a Brother, please refer them to a mental health care provider.
It’s Christmas and sometimes you have to pop out and heal 🥷🏿
Please excuse the hiatus. I created this website because I care deeply about the wellbeing of Black men and as a reminder for me (a Black man) to prioritize my own wellbeing. I’m neurodivergent and have been diagnosed with Depression and ADHD.
Neurodivergence is the term for when someone’s brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered “typical.”
Types of neurodivergence include Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Anxiety, Depression and other conditions that alter typical thinking processes. I am writing this post because neurodivergence is largely invisible to the eye and some Black men, due to societal and/or cultural conditioning, creates a barrier for seeking help. Before I go into what depression could look like, I want to redirect all readers to the note that starts this post and share that, like change, help cannot be forced on a Brother in need.
Here are 5 ways that you can tell a Brother [may be] depressed.
- Social isolation – When Brother’s are in distress, one way that it manifests is through isolating one’s self. What is tricky about social isolation is that it is not a symptom of Depression. However, it can be a cause and effect of it. When social Brothers become avoidant of social activities, something may be wrong.
- A change in sleeping habits – When a Brother’s sleep patterns are thrown off (inclusive of under sleeping as well), something may be wrong. When you notice a Brother opting out of normal daily routine activities, it could be an indicator that said Brother is suffering from Depression. Similarly, if you notice a trend of a Brother staying up abnormally late – e.g. liking and sending reels late night 😬 – it could also be an indicator something’s off. Another manifestation of this symptom could be low energy.
- Hopelessness – When a Brother’s optimism toward most things is low, Bro might be suffering from Depression. Hopelessness can be described as perceiving the future as bleak. Hopelessness also shows up as loss of interest in activities, hobbies, and in general, avoiding the pursuit of pleasure.
- Irritability – When a Brother is easily angered, suffers from mood swings, and/or shows less patience than he normally exhibits, it could be an indicator of Depression. I struggle with this symptom. If you know me, and you are reading this, watch your thoughts! That said, irritability can show up as being overly argumentative (aka looking for smoke).
- A change in eating habits – This could look like eating more or less than usual. Either way, a change in how a Brother’s eating could be a signal of Depression. What this looks like is unplanned weight loss or weight gain. So if you are unable to monitor a Brother’s eating habits, take a look at their weight.
This is not a comprehensive list of Depression symptoms. And yes, I will do a post about how you can help. For now, I want to provide a valid reason for why a Brother may not be showing up as his best self and let loved ones of Brother’s know that said brothers is not weird, emotional, a grinch, melodramatic, and/or moody. Said Brother may just be neurodivergent.
With Love,
JB
