Anxiety can impact anyone. It doesn’t discriminate against men or women. However, there are some differences in how it presents itself.
Men face some “extra” challenges when it comes to anxiety because of the mental health stigma that still exists. While it’s getting better, many men still believe that it’s a sign of weakness to show vulnerabilities—even if you feel like you’re not in control of your emotions.
Mental health issues are often seen as a sign of vulnerability in men, so they choose to keep their struggles to themselves. Unfortunately, some men even try to “ignore” their anxiety.
But emotions will always demand to be felt.
With that in mind, let’s look at how anxiety shows itself in men, and why it’s important to recognize the signs.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Overall, the symptoms of anxiety aren’t all that different between genders. Some of the most common signs include:
Easily fatigued
Feeling restless
Sleep problems
Difficulty concentrating
Aches and pains
Digestive issues
Feeling extreme anxiety or an anxiety attack can trigger things like a rapid heartbeat, sweating, and trembling in both men and women, too. These symptoms can be different for everyone and aren’t the only problems people with anxiety struggle with. If you would like to learn more about counseling services of anxiety click here.
So, what makes men different?
Keeping Things Inside
Because men tend to keep their emotions inside more often than women, they can exhibit slightly different symptoms of anxiety, including increased irritability and anger. If you’ve noticed that you’re frustrated more easily, or you’ve been “snapping” at people in your life, anxiety could be the culprit.
Unfortunately, keeping things inside can end up making your symptoms worse. You might become even more anxious about the way you’re feeling and those intrusive thoughts will threaten to take over.
Keeping that kind of emotion inside can also wreak havoc on your physical well-being, causing greater digestive issues, and even physical pain. It’s a sort of vicious cycle that ends up making everything worse.
What Can You Do?
If any of the symptoms above sound familiar or you know you’ve been struggling with anxiety, the first step is to admit it to yourself. That might sound a bit cliche, but it’s true. Accepting that you have anxiety will make it easier to get to the root of the issue.
It will also help to tear down any walls of reservation you might have and make it easier to drop the stigma that so often accompanies men’s mental health issues.
When you’re willing to accept your anxiety and that you might be struggling, lean on your support system. That includes family members and friends—yes, other men, too! By opening up about your anxiety, especially with other men, you’ll quickly learn that you’re not alone, and you’ll have people to talk to who can help you fight back against those negative thoughts.
The best thing you can do, however, is to reach out to a mental health professional.
The good news about anxiety is that it’s often very manageable. However, it typically doesn’t go away on its own. Often, it requires you to uncover the root cause so you can work your way up from that low point. For some, anxiety is rooted in childhood. For others, it could be something as simple as stress from work or relationships. Whatever the case, uncovering that cause is essential when it comes to truly healing.
If you’re struggling with the negative effects of anxiety, don’t let stigmas cause you to suffer in silence. Feel free to reach out for help and schedule an appointment soon. You can take control of your life again without letting invasive, fearful thoughts win.
Begin Working With An Anxiety Therapist in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Online in Arizona
Our team of therapists understand that the decision to start therapy can be intimidating. This is why we are happy to offer a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation. Our locations for anxiety counseling are located throughout the valley with counseling centers located in Phoenix, Anthem, Scottsdale and online in Arizona. You can start your therapy journey with Crossroads Counseling by following these simple steps:
- Contact Crossroads Counseling for a complimentary 20-minute phone consult
- Meet with a therapist that specializes in working with anxiety and with men
- Start coping with your anxiety symptoms
Feel free to learn more about our practice by visiting our about page, FAQ, and blog, or read more about our staff members to start finding your best therapeutic fit! or, call us at 623-680-3486, text 623-688-5115, or email info@crossroadsfcc.com for more information!
Are you interested in taking a quiz to assess the level of anxiety in your life. If yes, click here.