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Prioritizing Men’s Mental Health

While men’s physical health is always a priority, the importance of men’s mental health is commonly overlooked. Complete wellness is a combination of both physical and mental care, and here we will focus on the importance of prioritizing mental health for men.

Reducing the Stigma around Men’s Mental Health Care 

Both men and women are affected by mental illness and mental health struggles. Yet, mental health is one of the most stigmatized issues that affects men. Unfortunately, mental health conditions are often ignored and remain dangerously untreated in males. Social norms and stigmas around gender tell men that they should be emotionally strong, avoid showing vulnerability, and that asking for help is a sign of weakness. As a result, men who are experiencing mental health problems tend to downplay their symptoms and are reluctant to seek assistance and treatment. 

Men with mental health conditions often aren't diagnosed for several reasons that may include 

  • They fail to admit that they are struggling
  • They downplay or don’t know the signs and symptoms
  • They are reluctant to discuss their symptoms
  • They are ashamed and resistant to treatment

In addition, men are sometimes unable to recognize, identify, and describe their emotions.

Mental health challenges for men are very real. Successful treatments aim to reduce the stigma around seeking help, so that men that are struggling can get the treatment that they need and improve their quality of life.

Common Mental Health Disorders in Men

It is important to learn the signs and symptoms of mental health issues in men. Symptoms may look very different in men than in women. Common mental health disorders in men include depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse disorders and bipolar disorder. 

Depression

Male depression is one of the most common among men’s mental health issues. According to the CDC, five percent of young adult males suffer from depression. Men are more likely to experience anger and irritability as symptoms of depression, rather than sadness. Symptoms of male depression can vary and may include:

  • Aggressive or violent behavior
  • Engaging in high-risk activities
  • Substance abuse
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Chronic headaches or digestive problems with no clear cause
  • Appetite and weight changes
  • Fatigue
  • Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior
  • Changes in mood or energy level
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Increased worry or feeling stressed
  • Persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness
  • Thoughts of death or suicide 

Untreated depression in men can result in personal, professional and financial problems, even suicide. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), four times as many men than women die by suicide in the United States, which may be a result of the higher rates of untreated depression.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are also common in men. Types of anxiety disorders often seen in men include:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Social anxiety
  • Panic disorder
  • Phobias

Anxiety in men often increases the chances of being diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder and ADHD.

Symptoms of anxiety disorders may include:

  • Overwhelming feelings of worry and stress
  • Feeling jittery or constantly restless
  • Sleep problems—either insomnia or sleeping too much
  • Decline in academic or work performance
  • Physical symptoms including muscle aches, stomachaches, and headaches
  • Nausea, sweating, and shaking—particularly with social anxiety
  • Avoidance—staying away from situations or places that trigger anxiety
  • Panic attacks

Many of the symptoms of depression and anxiety may overlap in men. Often, depression and anxiety go hand-in-hand when diagnosing mental health disorders. 

Substance Abuse Disorder

While substance abuse is a mental health disorder in of itself, it may also be a symptom of other mental health issue. Alcohol or drug abuse is often used as a coping mechanism to help manage the debilitating symptoms of untreated mental health disorders including anxiety, depression or PTSD. Men will often self-medicate with alcohol or drugs instead of seeking treatment.  

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event or experience in a person’s life. PTSD can be caused by various situations include childhood trauma, a horrific accident or injury, mental or physical abuse, or toxic relationships among other things. The symptoms of PTSD can be debilitating and may include:

  • Flashbacks
  • Irritability or aggressive behavior
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Recurring nightmares and upsetting dreams
  • Ongoing negative emotions including fear, blame, guilt, anger or shame
  • Severe emotional outbursts or physical reactions to reminders of past traumatic events
  • General anxiety

A large percentage of military veterans experience PTSD.  Male veterans face additional stigmas around mental health care due to the traditional masculine philosophy in military culture.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, sometimes referred to as manic depression, is a serious mental health condition that can cause extreme mood swings. This disorder causes radical shifts in mood, energy, and at times, the ability to perform everyday tasks. 

Men with bipolar disorder can experience periods of intense emotions and severe changes in behavior, which can last days or even weeks. These include periods of emotional highs, commonly referred to as mania or hypomania and intense lows called depressive episodes. 

Men with bipolar disorder often don't know how much their mood swings and emotionally unstable behavior disrupts their lives and the lives of those around them.  As a result, they often don't receive the treatment they need.

Finding Treatment for Men’s Mental Health Disorders

Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness, it is actually a sign of strength and determination. By acknowledging the importance of men’s mental health and taking proactive steps to recognize and address disorders and symptoms, we can break down the stigma that surrounds the topic and treatment of men’s mental health issues. 

Treatment begins by identifying there is a problem and seeking help from a mental health professional. Ronald Brenner, MD, Chairman of Behavioral Health Services at Catholic Health explains, “Men often have different symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions than women. So recognizing the signs that you may have a mental disorder is the first step toward getting treatment. Speaking with a professional is one of the most effective ways you can take action and start to feel better.”

Depending on the specific disorder, treatment will vary and may include a variety of approaches including:

  • Therapy
  • Medication
  • Group Counseling and Support Groups
  • Brain Stimulation Therapies
  • Lifestyle Changes
  • Rehabilitation Programs

Encouraging open conversations about men’s mental health issues can ensure a healthier and more productive life for men who may be suffering and need treatment. 

Promoting Mental Health for Men

There are numerous way to support men’s mental health and help to destigmatize treatment. Whether it is recognizing symptoms early, encouraging open discussions, or promoting resources, men’s mental wellness should be a priority.

  • Encourage conversations and open dialogue about mental health issues that affect men in all settings – personally, professionally, medically, and socially.
  • Education regarding men’s mental health issues is vital to building awareness. Sharing information about common issues like depression, stress, and anxiety, can help men recognize symptoms and seek support.
  • Mental health services should be easily accessible and personalized to men’s individual needs. 

Find Care at Catholic Health

Find a Catholic Health doctor near you. Or call 866-MY-LI-DOC (866-875-3117).

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