The Anxiety Symptoms Men Often Miss – and Why They Matter

In some men, anxiety may manifest as rage or anger. ‘It’s much more acceptable,’ said McLean. While women may find support from friends or mental health professionals, guys often let their feelings build up until they hit a breaking point – and then the flood gates open.

‘Because emotions don’t get expressed [by men], because anxiety isn’t expressed in a healthy way, there are busts of anger as a result,’ said Ezell. ‘I think anger is considered decisive.’

If typical signs of anxiety, like nervousness or fear, are discouraged in men, anger is their only acceptable emotional response.

Anxious Men Have Strained Relationships

In another study of survey data from Columbia University, men were more likely than women to experience relationship strain from worrying.

This could be because women are more likely to have a circle of close friends, whereas men tend to have few confidants who can provide support through emotional distress.

‘Men tend to rely on romantic partners for stress,’ said Hofman. This can be a burden, he explained.

Sociologist Eli J. Finkel further detailed the risk of putting all that psychological dependence on one person in his book, The All-Or-Nothing Marriage. Finkel argued that modern relationships are tense because people seek comfort, growth, purpose, and a host of other needs from romantic partnerships. Prior generations sought comfort in an entire network of family and friends.

‘Marriage for a long time served a set and relatively limited array of different functions for us,’ Finkel told the NPR podcast Hidden Brain. ‘And over time we’ve piled more and more of these emotional and psychological functions.’

Anxious men might burn out their few outlets (or only outlet) for social support quickly.

Anxious Men Obsesses Over Status

Ezell’s practice is located in Darien, Connecticut, a bedroom community for hedge fund managers and Wall Street executives. With a median family income of $208,125, it’s frequently named one of the wealthiest municipalities in the United States.

Despite their success, Ezell has clients who are riddled with anxiety over what they haven’t accomplished. ‘My clients make a lot of money,’ said Ezell. ‘They are still not happy and want to know why.’

Guys are often anxious about getting ahead of peers, he said. If a friend winters in Aspen, his client wants to winter in the Alps. There is a particular pressure in status attainment – and status advancement – that fuels anxiety disorders for many.

‘We are very grateful by getting things,’ Ezell said, ‘but we get acclimated to that status very quickly. If I am eating well; I want to be eating better.’

Credit: Menshealth