Anxiety in Men: Signs, Symptoms, & Why We Must Address It
Anxiety doesn’t discriminate. While studies have shown that women tend to have anxiety more often than men, there are a few factors that cloud those studies. One of the most crucial is that far too many men don’t come forward or talk about their anxiety or other negative emotions they might be feeling.
While we obviously can’t put a number on how many men struggle with anxiety but don’t admit it, some research has suggested that up to 40% of men have never spoken to anyone about their mental health.
That’s a big problem, stemming from antiquated ways of thinking and negative stereotypes that do more harm than good. Let’s take a closer look at what men’s anxiety is and why it’s crucial that we address it.
What Does Anxiety in Men Look Like?
Again, anxiety doesn’t discriminate between men and women. They simply might display it differently. Women might deal with anxiety through fear and avoidance. Men, on the other hand, tend to express it through irritability, anger, and withdrawal. If you’re dealing with anxiety, you might have difficulty concentrating, and you might be more focused on hiding your emotions than anything else.
Unfortunately, that can lead to issues like difficulty sleeping, problems in your relationship, a lack of focus at work, and more.
Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms in men, including headaches, digestive issues, and fatigue.
Why Are Men So Often Silent About Anxiety?
There are several reasons why men might not speak up about their mental health. The biggest seems to come from societal pressure. For many, there is still a stigma surrounding men’s mental health. Many men might feel pressured into appearing strong and stoic. They might even worry about embarrassment or judgment if they speak up. They don’t want to seem vulnerable or weak. So, they bottle up their feelings.
Some men might feel like they don’t have anyone to talk to about their emotions. A lack of communication can be a big problem. Even if you’re willing to open up, feeling like you don’t have a circle of support to help you through might make you close yourself off again.
However, emotions always demand to be felt. Bottling things up doesn’t work for very long. Eventually, those emotions come to the surface and can feel much worse than they originally did.
The Danger of Silence
If you feel like you’re struggling with anxiety and don’t reach out to get a proper diagnosis or treatment, you’re putting yourself at risk for other mental health issues. Your symptoms are likely to become worse, and your overall quality of life might start to decline. Anxiety will eventually have an impact on nearly every area of your life, from your career to your relationships.
What’s even more frightening is that men are more likely to die by suicide than women. Mental health conditions play a part in that statistic, and if you don’t get the help you need and deserve, you might turn to unhealthy ways of coping with your anxiety. Eventually, it can feel like too much to handle, and you might turn to self-harm.
What Can You Do?
If the signs of anxiety in men seem familiar to you, it’s never too late to reach out for help. You have the choice to help break the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.
Getting diagnosed and treated for anxiety doesn’t make you weak. In fact, it makes you incredibly brave and shows great strength and self-compassion. Don’t let anxiety be a silent issue in your life. Reach out today to set up an appointment for men’s therapy, and we’ll fight back against your anxious thoughts together.
