Anxiety in Men …
Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Statistics say that in a typical week, 6.6% of people in the UK experience anxiety. Men, in general, find it difficult to discuss their mental health issues openly. Yet, if the anxiety develops into a serious disorder, the impact is as equally severe as that with women.
Sometimes, men experience symptoms, causes, and other aspects of anxiety that differ from those of women. It’s important to understand all these and how to help, particularly if you or a man you care about is suffering from anxiety.
What are the Symptoms of Anxiety in Men?
Sometimes, men experience symptoms, causes, and other aspects of anxiety that differ from those of women. It’s important to understand all these and how to help, particularly if you or a man you care about is suffering from anxiety.
Psychological
- A persistent sense of worry, apprehension, dread or hopelessness
- Feeling fearful, paranoid and tense
- Extreme stress
- An increased consumption of alcohol or drugs
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Low self-esteem
Physical
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Increased heart rate or palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pains
You might feel overwhelmed by the idea of getting a diagnosis for your anxiety. However, this is the initial step you need to take for your recovery.
Types of Anxiety that Affect Men
Anxiety is normal because it’s the body’s natural response to a perceived threat. However, if the symptoms are severe and persist over an extended period, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. The common types of anxiety include:
- Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD):
Persistent, chronic feelings of worry or unease, often without a clear idea of what is really causing it - Social anxiety
Excessive levels of worry and fear of social situations - Panic disorder
Frequent episodes of panic attacks, which are short, intense periods where physical anxiety symptoms like chest pains and heart palpitations are experienced - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety that develops after a traumatic, often life-threatening experience - Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
A sequence of obsessions (unwanted thoughts) and/or compulsions (behaviours) that you have a compelling need to perform to relieve anxiety - Performance anxiety
While both men and women can experience all types of anxiety, performance anxiety, particularly in the context of sex, is more frequent amongst men.
Another type of performance anxiety involves performing on stage or in front of a large audience. This is often experienced when giving a presentation at work or if you have a job such as being a musician or dancer where you often have to perform in front of people.
Sexual performance anxiety is when a worry or preoccupation with something gets in the way of one being sexually aroused. Often, this is due to poor body image or problems in the relationship. For men, this may also mean worrying about satisfying their partner or not measuring up compared to other men.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
What Causes Anxiety in Men
There is unlikely just a singular cause for someone to develop anxiety. Many factors can come into play that cause an individual to develop anxiety or a specific anxiety disorder.
Common causes of anxiety experienced regardless of gender, include:
Genes
Genetics is a factor known to contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. If you have a close relative who has experienced the condition, the likelihood of you also having it is increased. This may be attributed to hereditary factors or exposure to anxiety and the behaviours associated with it during childhood.
Stressful or traumatic experiences
Significant or stressful events, whether from the present or the past, can trigger anxiety. These events may involve excessive stress at work, financial concerns, bereavement or a relationship break-up. Your experience as a child can also play a significant role. Abused or neglected children are more likely to experience mental health issues such as anxiety as adults.
Other health problems
Your anxiety may be a symptom of a physical or mental health problem. Chronic health problems, particularly those that cause constant pain, can make you more likely to develop anxiety. In addition, existing mental health problems such as depression can also increase your vulnerability to the condition.
Lifestyle factors
Certain aspects of your lifestyle can also lead to or worsen anxiety. Excessive alcohol consumption or drug use, along with your diet, quality of sleep, and activity, are factors that contribute to the development of anxiety. Some people, particularly men, often deal with anxiety by drinking alcohol excessively, which can create a cycle of anxiety. Moreover, it can also lead to anxiety, leaving one feeling nervous, edgy, and unable to relax after drinking.
Medications
There are medications for many health problems that include anxiety as a potential side effect. Examples of these are those prescribed for thyroid problems and seizures.
How to Help a Man with Anxiety
There are many things you can do to help a man suffering from anxiety move towards recovery. Here is a list of do’s and don’ts:
Learn as much as you can about anxiety
Educate yourself as much about the topic as possible; with a better understanding of their situation, you can offer genuine support.
Open the conversation
Try to engage in a conversation with your loved one about his anxiety, encouraging him to talk openly and truthfully about how he’s feeling. Keep in mind the following:
- Be attentive to listen to his thoughts
- Support and invite him to share his emotions with you
- Don’t criticise, judge, or make assumptions
- Assure him that anxiety is a medical condition, not a sign of weakness
Talking to someone about their problems with anxiety is a challenging task, so make sure the conversation is focused on your concerns and not about him to keep him from becoming defensive. For example, you can say things like, “I’m concerned about your behaviour” or “I’d like to know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
Keep track of any signs and symptoms
In addition to those mentioned above, you can also encourage and assist your loved one to monitor his symptoms, including what they are, when they occur, and triggers, if any.
Being aware of these patterns and helping your loved ones be able to identify them as well, you can better support him in dealing with his challenging emotions and learn to know when he is experiencing an especially tough time.
Encourage him
Motivate him to seek help for his anxiety. You could offer to contact his GP and set an appointment on his behalf, then accompany him to provide moral support. You may also want to research treatment options that can help your loved one. Ultimately, reassure him that seeking help is nothing to be ashamed of and that you’re willing to be there for him if he wants you to be.
Every day, encourage him to continue doing things that make him happy and eat well. Be with him when he attends social events and make sure he pursues his hobbies. These little things may not seem like a lot, but they are great mood boosters that work wonderfully in the day-to-day management of anxiety.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Treatment for Men with Anxiety
There are several treatment options for men suffering with an anxiety disorder. The best course of treatment will be decided by both the patient and the medical professional helping them.
Common anxiety treatments include:
- Outpatient treatment for anxiety
Inpatient treatment involves staying in a dedicated facility on a residential basis where you can receive 24/7 treatment and support from a highly qualified and experienced team of mental health professionals. This is the ideal treatment setup if you are suffering from severe anxiety symptoms and need a breather from your normal everyday life to recovery.
- Day care
With day care, your anxiety therapy entails going to any of our treatment clinics each week for a certain number of full or half days. This treatment format is designed for people who don’t need intensive 24-hour support but require continuous and structured care for their anxiety.
- Inpatient (residential) treatment
Inpatient treatment for anxiety involves staying at one of our treatment centres on a residential basis, where you will be provided with intensive treatment and 24-hour support. Inpatient treatment gives you a chance to take a break from your everyday life and whatever negative influences are making your anxiety worse – reasons why this treatment format is effective in treating anxiety.
Online therapy for anxiety
We also offer online therapy to provide flexibility and meet the needs of our patients. This therapy format allows you access to support for anxiety from the comfort of your home and at a time that’s convenient for you.
Therapy for Anxiety
We provide different therapy types and formats to treat anxiety:-
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
One of the most common therapies is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is premised on the idea that anxiety is caused and exacerbated by negative thought patterns. These patterns can be deeply ingrained and cause you to respond to and process situations in unhealthy ways. Thus, CBT aims to address the unhealthy thought processes that form the foundation of your anxiety and explore the fundamental reasons why they developed, ultimately helping you develop a more positive perspective on situations.
CBT has been proven to provide lasting benefits and equips you with effective coping strategies for the future that will enable you to recognise negative thoughts when they enter your mind and respond to them positively and not with anxiety.
Exposure therapy
This is another form of treatment method we use for tackling anxiety. It aims to reduce your distress by exposing you to objects, situations, or events that cause them. This process of exposure is done in carefully graded steps, helping you confront your fears and eventually overcome your anxiety.
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
This involves letting your brain resume its natural healing process and is used in the treatment of brain or traumas, PTSD and panic disorders.
Aside from the above techniques, we also offer a range of talking therapies designed to address anxiety, and these are available in the following formats:
One-to-one therapy
This type of therapy is done on an individual basis between yourself and an anxiety specialist. During your sessions, the therapist will be able to address your unique concerns, helping you achieve the best results as an individual. This therapy can be done face-to-face or as part of therapy conducted online.
Group therapy
This is a support group type of therapy. Men who have been diagnosed with anxiety or suffering through similar issues make up the group, and the aim is to share your experiences, offer mutual support and guidance, and talk with compassionate men about your anxiety in a safe space without the fear of being judged. Together, these groups provide a rich source of strength and hope to those attending the sessions.
Family and couples therapy
This is another kind of group therapy but one that involves your family or loved ones. It aims to help you have an open and honest conversation with these people about your anxiety, enabling them to have an understanding of anxiety, recognise the signs and symptoms, and examine the impact that anxiety is having on you and them.
Anxiety Medication
When used to complement therapy, medication may also be especially beneficial. This can be prescribed to assist you with your anxiety, which you can take alongside CBT and other types of therapy. Medication, if appropriate can be prescribed by a highly trained psychiatrist to complement the therapy treatments. The different types of anxiety medication are as follows:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Referred to as SSRIs, this is the most recommended class of anxiety medication which works as an antidepressant. It is vital to take a full course of SSRI treatment, which typically lasts for nine months or more - Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers, such as Propranolol, can help to minimise the physical symptoms of anxiety. These medications can be helpful in specific situations, such as when you have to perform or speak in public, if these things trigger your anxiety.
When Should I Get Anxiety Treatment?
If you are no longer able to function on a daily basis due to your worries and anxiety, it’s time to seek professional help.
You need not suffer alone because the condition is treatable, and complete recovery is achievable. We successfully assist thousands of men every year in overcoming their anxiety and allowing them to return to their healthy and fulfilling lives. We have a world-class team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists committed to helping you through your journey to getting your life back on track.
FREE Anxiety Assessment
If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, there is hope and a solution for you. You can receive treatment as an outpatient or inpatient and through one-on-one or support group therapy. We understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help and support.
Our multidisciplinary team of experts have successfully treated thousands of people suffering from anxiety, helping them regain control of their lives.
We can present and explain the world-class treatment options we offer, discuss your problem with anxiety with you, assess your condition, and give you recommendations on the best and most appropriate next step you can take so you can regain control of your life.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free anxiety assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to offer support – with no pressure or judgement.
Professional and compassionate help is just a phone call or click away.
