There are several mental health disorders that can affect men. Like high blood pressure or a sprained ankle, these can be part of life for many people. A mental health disorder can cause changes in feelings, thoughts or behaviors. These can affect your relationships, everyday life or your ability to perform at work.
Two of the most common men's mental health conditions are depression and anxiety. They affect both men and women, but the causes sometimes differ. Read more about what these conditions look and feel like, and how you can get help.
Depression
How common is depression in men?
About 6% of adult males in the United States experience depression, according to federal estimates. The actual number may be higher, since men tend to underreport mental health symptoms.
Explore more about men's mental health
What are signs of depression in men?
It's normal to experience sadness or low mood some days. It can become serious when the symptoms persist over weeks or months. Common depression symptoms can include:
- Inability to enjoy things that you normally enjoy
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or hopelessness
- Problems sleeping
- Low energy or feeling sluggish
- Problems with appetite
- Trouble concentrating
- Thoughts of not wanting to be alive (if you experience this and are in a crisis, call or text 988)
Learn about suicide prevention and ways you can help yourself or a loved one
What are common causes of depression in males?
There are many things that can contribute to depression in men. Some men are more likely to suffer from depression due to their genetics. Environmental factors like life events can also play a role. For example, more men than women experience depression caused by financial and career stress. Depression in men can also stem from childhood experiences such as trauma.
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Anxiety
How common is anxiety in men?
About 15% of men in the United States report symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
What does anxiety look like in men?
Common symptoms of anxiety in men can include:
- Persistent feelings of worry, dread or fear
- Feeling irritable or restless
- Racing thoughts
- Trouble concentrating
- Disrupted sleep
- Physical symptoms such as fast heart rate, tension, chest tightness or stomach discomfort
Learn these self-care tips to help you deal with anxiety
What causes anxiety in men?
Causes of anxiety in males are similar to depression, like genetic factors, or financial or work stress. Other common causes are relationship or social challenges, health concerns and traumatic events.
Mental health help and treatment
How do you know when to seek help for a mental health disorder?
One sign that it may be time to seek help is if symptoms of anxiety or depression continue for more than a few weeks. Another sign is if the symptoms make everyday activities difficult. For example, if you avoid socializing or find it hard to complete work tasks, you should talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist.
Learn more about symptoms of anxiety and how to know when you need help
See why it's important to partner with a primary care provider for your mental and physical health
What does mental health treatment look like and how do you get started?
There are treatment options that can help men with anxiety and depression.
- Therapy: Working with a therapist can be very helpful for anxiety and depression. There are types of therapy that are particularly beneficial for anxiety.
- Medication management: A primary care doctor or psychiatrist can help you manage medication for anxiety and depression. Many people also attend regular therapy sessions along with taking medication.
- Mindfulness and meditation: Practicing mindfulness or meditation for 10 minutes a day can benefit your mental health. When feeling anxious, breathing exercises are a quick and easy grounding technique. You can practice these anywhere, sometimes without others being aware you're doing it. A body meditation can be helpful for calming physical tension caused by anxiety.
- Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise and a healthy diet are good for mental health. Outdoor activities, socializing and spending time with pets have benefits as well.
Find out more about types of therapy for anxiety and how to get started
Learn how to practice mindfulness and meditation
This blog post was medically reviewed by general psychiatrist Jesse Koskey.
