|  | Mental Health | Anxiety Disorders

Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety & Stress in Men

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that more than 40 million adults suffer from anxiety disorders in the U.S. each year. Anxiety disorders are reportedly more common in women than men, although both men and women suffer equally from phobias (social phobias, for example). There has been speculation that men are less likely than women to ask for or seek medical treatment when suffering from anxiety. If you or someone you know suffers from anxiety or stress, it's important to seek help to prevent the problem from worsening. Men suffering from anxiety and stress will commonly display one or, more likely, several of these symptoms.

  1. Panic Attacks

    • Men are more likely than women to confuse the signs of a panic, or anxiety, attack with having a heart attack. Both conditions are terrifying for the patient, causing a shortness of breath, chest pains and a racing heartbeat. If these symptoms arise, the patient should seek medical help immediately and get a proper diagnosis.

    Increased Alcohol and Drug Use

    • Men are more likely than women to self-medicate conditions like stress and anxiety with alcohol or drugs. A strong sign that a man you know is experiencing an increase of stress is his increasing abuse of harmful substances.

    Altered Sleep Patterns

    • Insomnia is a symptom of stress and anxiety. Someone who suffers from these conditions is living in constant worry or fear and is likely to lose sleep over it. By contrast, a person who is depressed may sleep excessively.

    Changes in Appetite

    • Anxiety and stress can cause stomachaches and other gastronomical problems, including diarrhea. If a man is taking extra antacids, feeling noticeably less hungry or even eating more than usual, this could be a symptom of stress or anxiety.

    Irritability

    • Does the man become irritated more easily than before? Is he lashing out at his family and friends, unprovoked? Irritability and moodiness almost always accompany anxiety. Although a bad mood has many triggers, it is possible that he is suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, the most common form of anxiety disorder.

    Social Withdrawal

    • A person suffering from severe anxiety may become socially withdrawn, especially if he suffers from a type of phobia, common to men, called agoraphobia, which is the fear of being in open, public spaces. A sign that he suffers from this condition may be feeling negatively about a social situation he once anticipated and enjoyed. Fearfulness, fidgeting, flushing of the face and nervousness may be present.

    Other Physical Discomforts

    • Anxiety and stress don't just negatively affect the mind. They can cause significant harm to the body as well. Physical symptoms of anxiety and stress include muscular aches and pains, twitching and trembling, sweating, and being easily scared or startled.

Anxiety Disorders - Related Articles