Men's Mental Health | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA

Why Men's Mental Health is Important

Although mental illnesses are more prevalent in women than in men, men suffering from mental illnesses are less likely to receive mental health treatment or diagnosis. There are many reasons for this and one of them is the pressure men face to "man up" or "tough it out." The stigma of men speaking out is that it is seen as a form of weakness or not "manly."

Men, feeling depression and anxiety or any other mental health illness is not unusual and is nothing to feel ashamed of. Other reasons that may impact a man’s mental health journey are culture, fatherhood, race, and socioeconomic status. These stigmas are real and deeply affect men as nearly 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety but less than half will receive treatment and more than 4 times as many men as women die by suicide every year¹.

Symptoms of mental illness differ in men from women. Recognizing the signs that you or someone you love may have a mental disorder is the first step toward getting the right help and treatment. The earlier someone receives treatment, the more effective it can be.

Statistics

For many mental health disorders, men are less likely to speak up and get treatment. They are also less likely to be diagnosed because of this. Knowing the statistics can help raise awareness about men's mental health, encourage men to take a step towards getting treatment, and validate the feelings men with mental health disorders may be experiencing. According to Mental Health America¹:

Though men account for about 10% of patients with bulimia or anorexia, men with an eating disorder are less likely to seek professional help.
Over 6 million men suffer from depression per year, but male depression often goes underdiagnosed.
More than 3 million men in the US have panic disorder, agoraphobia, or any other phobia.
2.3 million Americans are affected by bipolar disorder and an equal amount of men and women develop the illness. The age of onset for men is between 16 to 25 years old.
One of the leading causes of disability in America is schizophrenia. Approximately 3.5 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed and 90% of those who are diagnosed by age 30 are men.

Warning Signs and Symptoms

Men and women can develop most of the same mental disorders and conditions but may experience different symptoms and develop different coping tools. When depression occurs in men, it may be masked by unhealthy coping behavior².

Symptoms of mental health disorders in men may look like this³:

Escapist behavior, such as spending a lot of time at work or on sports
Physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive problems, and pain
Misuse of alcohol and/or drugs
Controlling, violent or abusive behavior
Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness (inappropriate anger)
Risky behavior, such as reckless driving
Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge

Both men and women can experience these symptoms²:

Feel sad, hopeless, or empty
Feel extremely tired
Have difficulty sleeping or sleep too much
Not getting pleasure from activities usually enjoyed
Suicidal thoughts

Male depression and suicide

Although women attempt suicide more often than men do, men are more likely to complete suicide². That's because men:

Use methods that are more likely to cause death, such as guns
May act more impulsively on suicidal thoughts
Show fewer warning signs, such as talking about suicide

Treatment

There are effective treatments for mental health disorders. Asking for help may be difficult for men, but going without treatment may only make the situation worse². If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, talk with your doctor or mental health professional.

If you or someone you know is in a crisis, get help immediately. You can call 911 or call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

ADAA Resources

Please visit ADAA's self-help bookstore

Blog:

Taking Safety, Defense and Prevention from the Football Field to the Mental Health Field, Doug Middleton
What is Toxic Masculinity and How it Impacts Mental Health, ADAA member Kevin Foss, MFT
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Men: What to Know and How it Differs, ADAA member Scott Granet, LCSW

Personal Stories:

Webinars:

A Safe Space - Men's Mental Health, ADAA members O'Shan Gadsden, PhD and Daniel Singley, PhD and L. Kevin Chapman, PhD

Trending Articles

Black men in sports are speaking out about their mental health, The Undefeated, 2022
How to Get More Men to Try Therapy, The New York Times 2022
New Help for a Group at Risk for Suicide: Middle-Aged Men, Wall Street Journal 2022

Resources:

Mental Health America (MHA). Infographic: Mental Health for Men. mhanational.org. https://www.mhanational.org/infographic-mental-health-men
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Men and Mental Health. nimh.nih.gov. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-and-mental-health
Mayo Clinic. Male depression: Understanding the issues. mayoclinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/male-depression/art-20046216