Understanding Anxiety in Men: What It Looks Like and Why It Matters

Anxiety doesn’t discriminate. While Anxiety impacts both men and women, its presentation may differ.

Often true for men and women, the greatest sign of anxiety is an intense and ongoing feeling of fear or worry. Beyond this, everything from societal and environmental factors to genetics can play a part in how the symptoms of anxiety manifest themselves. 

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how anxiety often appears in men. The more you understand some common symptoms, the sooner you can seek the help you deserve if you’re experiencing them. 

Socially “Acceptable” Symptoms

One of the biggest issues men face when it comes to their mental health is the stigma that they need to be strong. 

It’s an outdated and antiquated idea that should no longer be a part of the conversation. Unfortunately, far too many people still believe that mental health issues aren’t valid or signal weakness. With this narrative, plenty of men silently struggle with anxiety and don’t seek out the necessary support.

As a result, one of the biggest differences in how anxiety manifests itself in men is aggression versus worry. Women are more likely to let the fear that comes from anxiety cause them to worry; this is a part of the fight-or-flight response.

On the other hand, men often respond with “fight” instead of flight when that response is triggered. This aggressive response can lead to everything from work issues to negative interactions in relationships.

Physical Symptoms

Physical issues associated with anxiety can impact both men and women. However, as because men often try to mask their emotional symptoms, the physical ones might seem even more intense. 

Some of the common physical problems associated with anxiety include headaches, muscle pain, digestive issues, and even tremors. 

You might also experience changes in your eating and sleeping habits, including a loss of appetite. If you’ve been dealing with anxiety for a long time, you might notice a negative change in your overall health. It can make you feel extremely fatigued. You can lose weight. You’ll feel sore and weak. Unfortunately, these issues can fuel your anxiety even further, especially when trying to fit into societal norms. 

Loss of Control

The aggression that often comes with anxiety can lead to hopelessness and emptiness. Men tend to feel the need to have control; when anxiety takes over, it can make you feel like you’ve lost that sense of control. This can lead to overwhelming feelings of failure and even trigger symptoms of depression. 

Behavioral Issues

Men often try to deal with the symptoms of anxiety in risky ways, including participating in high-risk activities, which may include substance use issues.

These actions might mask symptoms for a while, making you feel in control, or allowing you to forget what’s causing your fear to begin with. However, these actions aren’t sustainable, and they don’t actually address the underlying issues. In the end, they’ll only put you in more danger. 

What Can You Do?

If you’re a man dealing with anxiety, don’t let outdated stigmas keep you from getting the help you deserve. Anxiety is often very manageable, but it’s not something you should have to treat on your own. 

Therapy is one of the best ways to deal with anxiety. It will help you better understand where it stems from while providing healthy ways to manage your symptoms. Don’t hesitate to contact our office today to set up an appointment.