Mental Health Anxiety

Anxiety Management

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition globally — and it affects men just as much as women, though men are far less likely to seek treatment.

Overview Anxiety Management Suicide Prevention Stress at Work Finding a Therapist

Types of Anxiety

Common anxiety disorders in men:

  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) — persistent, uncontrollable worry
  • Social anxiety — intense fear of social situations
  • Panic disorder — recurrent panic attacks
  • PTSD — common in men who've experienced trauma, violence or combat
  • OCD — obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours

Physical Symptoms to Watch For

Anxiety manifests physically:

  • Racing heart, palpitations
  • Muscle tension, headaches
  • Digestive problems: nausea, IBS
  • Sweating, trembling
  • Sleep problems — difficulty falling or staying asleep

Evidence-Based Management

Effective strategies:

  • CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) — gold standard
  • Diaphragmatic breathing — activates parasympathetic nervous system
  • Progressive muscle relaxation
  • Regular aerobic exercise — reduces anxiety as effectively as medication in mild cases
  • Limiting caffeine and alcohol
  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

When Medication Helps

SSRIs (e.g. sertraline, escitalopram) are first-line for moderate-severe anxiety. Short-term benzodiazepines may be used for acute episodes but are not for long-term use due to dependence risk. Beta-blockers help with situational anxiety (e.g. performance anxiety, public speaking).

Related Topics

Stress at Work