Common Anxiety Symptoms in Men of All Ages

Anxiety is a common mental health condition experienced by both men and women. The way they respond to it is not the same, however. Women, for instance, tend to be more verbally expressive about their anxiety. In contrast, anxiety symptoms in men are more likely to be ignored or downplayed and often remain undiagnosed because of an inclination to disregard their struggles and emotions.

Men often avoid reaching out for help because of the perceived stigma attached to mental health issues, as well as because they have been socialized to believe that men are supposed to be tough, self-reliant, and mentally strong. They view anxiety as an unmanly sign of weakness and have a fear of being judged and perceived as a failure for not being able to maintain control over their emotions if they admit to their struggle.

Research has shown that men are more likely to report physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, or loss of appetite than women, and to respond to their anxiety with anger or aggression, which they feel is more masculine and acceptable. Men are also more likely than women to self-medicate and turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to numb their distressing feelings rather than seek emotional support.

Common anxiety symptoms in men, young and old

Physical

Physical anxiety symptoms in men include trouble sleeping, restlessness, fatigue, being constantly on edge, jumpiness, persistent headaches, muscle tension, racing heartbeat, stomach aches, loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, and panic attacks.

Psychological

Psychological anxiety symptoms in men include catastrophic thinking, trouble concentrating, anger, irritability, being short-tempered, strained relationships, withdrawal from friends and family, impaired job performance, and inability to function in their day-to-day lives.

Anxiety symptoms specific to adolescent boys

In adolescent boys, anxiety may manifest as random aches and pains, muscle cramps, excessive sweating, refusal to go to school, headaches, fatigue, hyperventilating, shaking, being easily startled, angry outbursts, withdrawing from friends and family, and low self-esteem.

Anxiety symptoms specific to middle-aged men

Middle-aged men suffering from anxiety may be prone to panic attacks, worry excessively about work and social interactions, and have a fear of being judged.

Anxiety symptoms specific to older men

Common anxiety symptoms in older men include feeling weak, lethargic, and fatigued; restlessness; a racing heart; palpitations; safety-related fears; and difficulty performing everyday tasks.

If after reading this article on anxiety symptoms in men you think you might be struggling with anxiety, know that it is not a sign of weakness or something you can just snap out of. Bottling up your feelings and keeping them to yourself won’t cause them to go away. It can only make your symptoms worse and have a detrimental effect on your physical and psychological well-being.

Left untreated, anxiety can lead to severe depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease, as well as increase your risk of suicide. The good news is that there are several effective evidence-based treatments available that can drastically improve how you feel.

If you would like to set up an appointment to meet with one of the faith-based counselors in our online directory, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Your first appointment is risk-free.