3 Stress Symptoms In Men & How To Deal With Them
Stress impacts everyone — regardless of age, ethnicity, sex, etc. How stress impacts us and how we react is often based on individual characteristics. That said, some specific trends and tendencies exist. For example, men and women typically have distinct responses to stress — both physically and emotionally.
This can be due to hormones, unique biological factors, and cultural expectations. For example, in the presence of the same stressors, men have been found to have a higher level of cortisol. Cortisol is a powerful stress hormone that can seriously impact a person’s well-being. Therefore, it can be very helpful for men to recognize these differences in the name of reducing stress in their lives.
Why is Stress Different in Men and Women?
For starters, men are less likely to ask for help when it comes to their mental health. This partially explains why women have a higher rate of mental health disorders while the juice rate for men is much higher. But what is the biological explanation for such differences between the sexes?
It is rooted in the body’s stress response system. Men are wired to have a stronger, more aggressive response. This can be life-saving in the moment of a crisis. If the stress is not addressed, however, it puts men more at risk for chronic illness and compromised immunity.
Another factor to consider is testosterone which plays an important role in alleviating sensations of pain. Meanwhile, chronic stress decreases testosterone levels. Therefore, as you are about to see, men under stress often report more physical pain than women in the same situation.
3 Stress Symptoms in Men
1. Muscle Aches, Pain, and Tension
Neck pain, back pain, and headaches are most commonly observed. Such signs can be dismissed as an offshoot of intense workouts, too much time at one’s desk, etc. Wheel these factors play a role, they cannot be used as a way to avoid confronting how stressed you are.
2. Loss of Libido
Here’s another negative side effect of cortisol. When this powerful stress hormone is present, its goal is survival. Therefore, it will suppress the production of sex hormones because it perceives them as a low priority.
3. Lack of Anger Control
Men are culturally and biologically more likely to be aggressive. When stress hits, it combines emotional and physiological elements to make anger harder to control.
How Can Men Deal With These Stress Symptoms?
Recognize It
If you view stress as a “weakness,” you may be unwilling to admit it is impacting you. If you’re unfamiliar with how stress shows up in your life, you may not recognize it. Either way, the critical first step is to learn more.
Treat the Symptoms
When stress causes muscle aches or digestive disturbances, of course, those should not be ignored. To let them fester is to invite even more stress (and stress symptoms) into your life. Treat symptoms like this but do not lose sight of the underlying issues.
Dig Deeper to Address the Root Causes
This is the foundational work. Stress, tension, and anxiety are inevitable parts of everyone’s life. However, this does not mean they will automatically overwhelm you and impair your daily functioning. Commit to a deeper understanding of what’s happening in your life and reach out to someone who specializes in this area (see below).
Therapy is a Proven Option
I realize it can be tricky to speak with the people in your life about this. That’s why I am urging you to reach out to me for a free and confidential consultation. Meeting with a therapist who understands what you’re going through is a powerful step toward recovery. Your weekly sessions for men's issues are where you make connections and discover new approaches.
