Find a TherapistReady to get started?Ready toget started?Add your email to continueEmailGet startedBy submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Ready to get started?Ready toget started?Add your email to continueEmailGet startedBy submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Ready to get started?
Ready toget started?
Add your email to continue
Get started
By submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryAnxiety in Men: Signs, Symptoms, Types, & Treatment
Table of Contents:OverviewThe Difference Between Anxiety in Men vs. WomenSigns & Symptoms of Anxiety in MenCauses of Anxiety in MenTypes of Anxiety Men ExperienceAnxiety Treatment for Men
Anxiety DisorderRead Time: 5 Minutes
Published On: November 19, 2021
Reviewed On: November 19, 2021
Updated On: May 21, 2024
OverviewAnxiety disordersaffectmore than 40 million adults in the United States, and an astounding 264 million people around the world. It’s the most common mental health condition diagnosed today. Although women are more likely than men to have an anxiety disorder, almost14% of menin the United States will be affected in their lifetime.Anxiety can be different for men than it is for women in terms of signs and symptoms, causes, and which types of anxiety are most common. However, anxiety symptoms can vary for every person and may not follow according to gender. Read on to learn about anxiety symptoms in men and how it can be treated withonline therapyand other methods.
Overview
Anxiety disordersaffectmore than 40 million adults in the United States, and an astounding 264 million people around the world. It’s the most common mental health condition diagnosed today. Although women are more likely than men to have an anxiety disorder, almost14% of menin the United States will be affected in their lifetime.
Anxiety can be different for men than it is for women in terms of signs and symptoms, causes, and which types of anxiety are most common. However, anxiety symptoms can vary for every person and may not follow according to gender. Read on to learn about anxiety symptoms in men and how it can be treated withonline therapyand other methods.
The Difference Between Anxiety in Men vs. WomenThough it’s very common in both genders, anxiety can be different for men than women. It’s not fully understood why, butresearchhas shown that there are some specific differences.For example, women experience a higher diagnosis rate for almost all types of anxiety disorders. The exception here is social anxiety disorder (SAD), which occurs at roughly the same rate for both women and men. Women who are diagnosed with one anxiety disorder are also more likely than men to at some point be diagnosed with another mental health condition.Another difference is between how men and women tend to deal with their anxiety. Overwhelmingly, men are more prone to turning to substance abuse, whereas women more often turn to agoraphobic avoidance.
The Difference Between Anxiety in Men vs. Women
Though it’s very common in both genders, anxiety can be different for men than women. It’s not fully understood why, butresearchhas shown that there are some specific differences.
For example, women experience a higher diagnosis rate for almost all types of anxiety disorders. The exception here is social anxiety disorder (SAD), which occurs at roughly the same rate for both women and men. Women who are diagnosed with one anxiety disorder are also more likely than men to at some point be diagnosed with another mental health condition.
Another difference is between how men and women tend to deal with their anxiety. Overwhelmingly, men are more prone to turning to substance abuse, whereas women more often turn to agoraphobic avoidance.
Expert Insight
Licensed and Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)Liz Kelly, LCSW
Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety in MenMany people equate anxiety to having feelings of nervousness, a racing heart, or sweating, but anxiety can be much more than anxious feelings. Male anxiety symptoms can go far beyond feelings of worry or fear. There are both physical and emotional symptoms to be aware of.Physical anxiety symptoms in men:Excessive sweatingHeadachesA racing heartMuscle tensionOutbursts of angerFeeling restlessGastrointestinal issuesAgitationFeeling dizzy or having vertigoInsomniaShortness of breathExperiencing a choking sensationPanic attackEmotional anxiety symptoms in men:Feelings of dreadFrequently worrying about things going wrongAvoidanceDifficulty concentratingCatastrophic thinkingFeeling overly vigilant about the potential for dangerIrritabilityAngerEdginessFear of losing controlAbsentmindedness
Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety in Men
Many people equate anxiety to having feelings of nervousness, a racing heart, or sweating, but anxiety can be much more than anxious feelings. Male anxiety symptoms can go far beyond feelings of worry or fear. There are both physical and emotional symptoms to be aware of.
Physical anxiety symptoms in men:
Emotional anxiety symptoms in men:
Causes of Anxiety in Men
Types of Anxiety Men Experience
There are 5 majortypes of anxiety disorders, all of which men can experience.
Online therapy for anxiety
Anxiety Treatment for MenWhen left untreated, signs of anxiety in men can be extremely painful and debilitating. There is good news, though. Anxiety is treatable. Treatment can come in the form of therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of all of these.
Anxiety Treatment for Men
When left untreated, signs of anxiety in men can be extremely painful and debilitating. There is good news, though. Anxiety is treatable. Treatment can come in the form of therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of all of these.
TherapySometypes of therapywork better in treating anxiety in men than others. The specific type of anxiety disorder a man is diagnosed with can determine which therapy technique might work best. In general, talk therapy (also known as psychotherapy),cognitive behavioral therapy, andexposure therapyare all effective in treating male anxiety symptoms.MedicationMedication can be used successfully for many men who have anxiety. Before anything is prescribed, however, it’s very common for a doctor to test a man’s testosterone levels to see if testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) might be a good option for treatment. If testosterone levels are within a normal range, there are three main types of medication used to treat anxiety in men.AntidepressantsBenzodiazepinesBuspironeLike with many mental health conditions, medication can take a while to get right. Sometimes a combination of medications will work best. Other times, medication combined with therapy might be able to get the most optimal results.Lifestyle changesLifestyle changes like diet, sleep habits, and exercise can all be very helpful in reducing severe symptoms of anxiety in men. Meditation, breathing exercises, physical exercise, yoga, acupuncture, and a healthy diet can all potentially improve many aspects of mental health, including anxiety.Anxiety can be overwhelming to deal with but with the right support in your life, you can learnhow to deal with anxietyeffectively. Whether this means seeing a therapist or talking to a doctor about medication, there is help out there to improve the symptoms and signs of anxiety in men.If you or someone you know might be experiencing anxiety, take ouranxiety test screeningto learn more. From there, we can help get you connected with a licensed therapist for diagnosis and treatment.
Therapy
Sometypes of therapywork better in treating anxiety in men than others. The specific type of anxiety disorder a man is diagnosed with can determine which therapy technique might work best. In general, talk therapy (also known as psychotherapy),cognitive behavioral therapy, andexposure therapyare all effective in treating male anxiety symptoms.
Medication
Medication can be used successfully for many men who have anxiety. Before anything is prescribed, however, it’s very common for a doctor to test a man’s testosterone levels to see if testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) might be a good option for treatment. If testosterone levels are within a normal range, there are three main types of medication used to treat anxiety in men.
Like with many mental health conditions, medication can take a while to get right. Sometimes a combination of medications will work best. Other times, medication combined with therapy might be able to get the most optimal results.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes like diet, sleep habits, and exercise can all be very helpful in reducing severe symptoms of anxiety in men. Meditation, breathing exercises, physical exercise, yoga, acupuncture, and a healthy diet can all potentially improve many aspects of mental health, including anxiety.
Anxiety can be overwhelming to deal with but with the right support in your life, you can learnhow to deal with anxietyeffectively. Whether this means seeing a therapist or talking to a doctor about medication, there is help out there to improve the symptoms and signs of anxiety in men.
If you or someone you know might be experiencing anxiety, take ouranxiety test screeningto learn more. From there, we can help get you connected with a licensed therapist for diagnosis and treatment.
See ReferencesAny Anxiety DisorderNational Institute of Mental Health. Accessed November 4, 2021.Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Men’s Use of Mental Health TreatmentsBlumberg, Stephen J et al. NCHS data brief ,206 (2015): 1-8. Accessed November 4, 2021.Anxiety Disorders - Facts & StatisticsAnxiety & Depression Association of America.Generalized Anxiety DisorderNational Institute of Mental Health. Accessed November 4, 2021.Gender differences in anxiety disorders: prevalence, course of illness, comorbidity and burden of illnessMcLean, Carmen P et al. Journal of psychiatric research vol. 45,8 (2011): 1027-35. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.03.006. Accessed November 4, 2021.What are the five major types of anxiety disorders?HHS.gov. Accessed November 4, 2021.
See References
National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed November 4, 2021.
Blumberg, Stephen J et al. NCHS data brief ,206 (2015): 1-8. Accessed November 4, 2021.
Anxiety & Depression Association of America.
McLean, Carmen P et al. Journal of psychiatric research vol. 45,8 (2011): 1027-35. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.03.006. Accessed November 4, 2021.
HHS.gov. Accessed November 4, 2021.
Liz Kelly, LCSWLiz Kelly, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in Washington, DC and Virginia. She has spent much of her professional career specializing in the area of grief and loss. She previously worked at the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, a bereavement counseling center in Washington, DC. During her time at the Wendt Center, she served as a grief counselor to adolescents and adults, provided crisis grief counseling services at the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, co-facilitated three-day bereavement camps for children ages 6–17, and led support groups and community trainings on grief. Ms. Kelly is passionate about making mental health more accessible and approachable.
Liz Kelly, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in Washington, DC and Virginia. She has spent much of her professional career specializing in the area of grief and loss. She previously worked at the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, a bereavement counseling center in Washington, DC. During her time at the Wendt Center, she served as a grief counselor to adolescents and adults, provided crisis grief counseling services at the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, co-facilitated three-day bereavement camps for children ages 6–17, and led support groups and community trainings on grief. Ms. Kelly is passionate about making mental health more accessible and approachable.
Share
Effective and affordable mental health treatmentGet Started
Effective and affordable mental health treatment
Related Articles About Anxiety DisorderView all articlesAnxiety DisorderDecember 4, 2024How to Overcome Anxiety About Your Cancer DiagnosisAnxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Nurse Anxiety: Overcoming Stress in a High-Pressure ProfessionAnxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Overcoming Anxiety in the MilitaryAnxiety DisorderSeptember 18, 2024Overcoming Parental Anxiety: Strategies for a Calmer MindAnxiety DisorderAugust 26, 202415 Effective Coping Skills for AnxietyAnxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Acupuncture for Anxiety: Does it Work?Anxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Does Alcohol Cause Anxiety? Exploring the ConnectionAnxiety Disorder, PhobiasJune 18, 2024Agoraphobia vs Social Anxiety Disorder: What’s the Difference?Anxiety DisorderJune 18, 202413 Best Jobs for People with Social AnxietyAnxiety DisorderJune 18, 2024Election Anxiety: How to Cope With Political Stress
Related Articles About Anxiety DisorderView all articles
Related Articles About Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety DisorderDecember 4, 2024How to Overcome Anxiety About Your Cancer DiagnosisAnxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Nurse Anxiety: Overcoming Stress in a High-Pressure ProfessionAnxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Overcoming Anxiety in the MilitaryAnxiety DisorderSeptember 18, 2024Overcoming Parental Anxiety: Strategies for a Calmer MindAnxiety DisorderAugust 26, 202415 Effective Coping Skills for AnxietyAnxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Acupuncture for Anxiety: Does it Work?Anxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Does Alcohol Cause Anxiety? Exploring the ConnectionAnxiety Disorder, PhobiasJune 18, 2024Agoraphobia vs Social Anxiety Disorder: What’s the Difference?Anxiety DisorderJune 18, 202413 Best Jobs for People with Social AnxietyAnxiety DisorderJune 18, 2024Election Anxiety: How to Cope With Political Stress
Anxiety DisorderDecember 4, 2024How to Overcome Anxiety About Your Cancer Diagnosis
Anxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Nurse Anxiety: Overcoming Stress in a High-Pressure Profession
Anxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Overcoming Anxiety in the Military
Anxiety DisorderSeptember 18, 2024Overcoming Parental Anxiety: Strategies for a Calmer Mind
Anxiety DisorderAugust 26, 202415 Effective Coping Skills for Anxiety
Anxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Acupuncture for Anxiety: Does it Work?
Anxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Does Alcohol Cause Anxiety? Exploring the Connection
Anxiety Disorder, PhobiasJune 18, 2024Agoraphobia vs Social Anxiety Disorder: What’s the Difference?
Anxiety DisorderJune 18, 202413 Best Jobs for People with Social Anxiety
Anxiety DisorderJune 18, 2024Election Anxiety: How to Cope With Political Stress
If you are in a life threatening situation – don’t use this site. Call 988 or useto get immediate help.
Therapy may be free for you
