We’ve all had the experience of dealing with someone who is stubborn. Maybe it’s your friend who storms off the court after a bad call during pickup basketball or your boss who chews you out for every little mistake.
Psychologist Karyl McBride says that some stubborn people are fragile. They’re unable to change their ways because they’ve been hurt or traumatized in some way.
1. Cancer
Cancer is a life-threatening disease that affects people in all ages and ethnicities. It can be treated if it is caught early enough and has not spread to other parts of the body.
In contrast to benign tumors, which usually develop and grow slowly, cancer cells break away from the original tumor site and travel to other organs causing problems. Treatment is often a combination of surgery and drugs that target cancer cells.
The process of developing cancer is long, complicated and involves many steps across time. It also takes years to accumulate sufficient mutations to reach a malignant state.
Because of this, it is not surprising that men are more likely than women to experience psychological distress after cancer diagnosis. This is especially true for younger patients.
2. Heart Disease
If you’re a man who is stubborn about his health, then you may need to think again. Men die on average almost five years before women – and even sooner if they’re minorities, according to a new report.
One of the biggest causes of death is heart disease, which affects more than half of all Americans. Fortunately, heart disease is treatable and can be prevented by making healthier choices and controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
When a heart attack strikes, the most common symptoms are chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and nausea or extreme fatigue. But there are many other signs and symptoms of heart disease that can occur months or even years before a heart attack happens.
Some of these early symptoms include a burning sensation in the chest, difficulty breathing, a racing heart, or an uneven heartbeat. Other symptoms can include a general sense of unease, vague discomfort, back or abdominal pain and declining stamina.
3. Depression
Depression is a medical condition, and it can be treated with medication and therapy. It can also be controlled through a number of strategies, such as reducing stress, exercising and avoiding alcohol.
In a relationship, depression can affect your man in ways you might not expect. It might make him seem like a burden and a stumbling block, and it may cause him to resist treatment.
If you notice these symptoms in your partner, you might want to seek help for him right away. This is especially true if your man has been struggling with depression for a while or is feeling suicidal.
Men with depression may feel withdrawn and irritable, exhibiting anger attacks or engaging in risk-taking behavior. They may drink more alcohol or use drugs, as well.
4. Trauma
Traumas can occur in many different ways, but they all involve sudden and unexpected events that threaten your physical or emotional safety. These could include physical injuries, a major illness, military combat, sexual assault or death of someone you love.
It can take time for your body to heal from a trauma. And that’s why it’s important to seek support and treatment for any symptoms you experience after a traumatic event.
The effects of trauma can last long after the physical wounds have healed, leaving psychological consequences like depression or flashbacks. The condition is called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Some of the signs of trauma include reliving a traumatic event, feeling helpless and incompetent, experiencing nightmares or avoiding certain triggers. Survivors often avoid people and places associated with the event, resisting memories and emotions that remind them of it.
