Signs And Symptoms of Stress And Anxiety in Men

If you walk down the pharmacy aisle at your nearest store, you are sure to notice a large number of stress relief pills and other medicines for stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety are widespread in today’s India. A shocking 74% of Indians suffer from anxiety, and 88% of Indians suffer from stress. 

Both stress and anxiety do not discriminate and can affect both men and women, the young and the old. Both these psychological conditions impact each individual uniquely, and we all react to them differently. 

Did you know women are more likely to experience stress symptoms than men? While this is true, studies have shown that women manage stress better than men. However, men are also prone to both stress and anxiety. So, before you go ahead to try stress and anxiety tablets, read on to find out more about the signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety in men and how best to manage these conditions.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety in Men

Before you decide to take the best stress reliever medicine or recommend one to your loved ones, you must be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety in men.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress

They can be divided into physical, psychological, and behavioral signs:

Physical Signs and Symptoms

• Headache
• Digestive issues like constipation and diarrhoea
• Stomach upset
• Muscle tension in the body
• Pain in the chest, neck or back region
• Generalized fatigue and tiredness
• Difficulty in concentrating on daily tasks
• Heartburn
• Inability to achieve an erction

Psychological Signs and Symptoms

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Increased restlessness and irritability
• Short-temper 
• Reduced interest in sex

Behavioral Signs and Symptoms

• Changed eating habits (over-or undereating)
• Drug abuse
• Alcoholism
• Loss of will to exercise
• Gambling 
• Smoking
• Sleep issues and insomnia
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) behaviors

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety

Some common symptoms of anxiety in men include:

Physical Signs

• Excessive sweating in palms and feet
• Muscle tension in the neck, jaw, and back
• Restlessness
• Increased agitation
• Pounding in the heart
• Insomnia and sleep issues
• Shortness of breath
• A feeling of choking in the throat

Emotional Signs

• Frequent thinking or obsession with worry that something will go wrong
• Sadness or depressive feelings
• Dreading something that might happen
• Issues with concentrating on daily activities
• Paranoid thinking
• Avoiding the trigger of anxiety
• Irritability
• Fear that you may lose control

Management of Stress and Anxiety in Men

Stress and anxiety can both impact one’s quality of life. Therefore, these conditions must be treated quickly to allow the individual to return to their everyday, routine life. The best place to begin stress and anxiety management is by visiting a psychiatrist or psychologist. A registered practitioner of these two principles can help diagnose your condition, identify a cause, and provide the best way to treat them.

While most individuals are prescribed medicine to reduce stress and anxiety, most mental health practitioners also emphasize healthy lifestyle habits like – getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and regular exercises. In addition, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also very effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and stress in men. 

Other effective ways of reducing stress in men include:

• Cutting Back on the Stressors: identify what is causing your stress and reduce your exposure until you can effectively manage it.
• Spending Time with Others: men tend to withdraw from social situations when stressed or experience anxiety. Spending time with others is an excellent way to take your mind off your stress and relax.
• Exercise: Believe it or not, regular exercises are highly beneficial to reduce stress and anxiety. When you exercise, your body releases ‘happy hormones’ that make you feel good instantly. So go for a walk, run or cycle to relax your mind and bust that stress!
• Pursue Your Hobbies: Hobbies are not just for passing your time but are great ways to manage lifestyle conditions like stress and anxiety.

Key Takeaway

Men are not immune to stress and anxiety. Though they are less likely to experience these conditions, they are also less likely to accept or seek help for managing these conditions. If you experience any signs and symptoms of stress or anxiety or know someone who does, consult with your doctor immediately.