Signs of Anxiety in Men

He seems angry all the time. Snapping over small things. Always on edge. He works constantly, drinks more than he used to, can't sleep, can't sit still. Everyone thinks he's stressed about work. He doesn't recognize it as anxiety—because it doesn't match what anxiety is "supposed" to look like.

Anxiety in men often hides. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders—but that doesn't mean they experience more anxiety. Men may just show it differently and report it less.

How Anxiety Manifests in Men

Physical Symptoms

Men often experience anxiety in the body rather than recognizing it emotionally:

• Muscle tension, especially in the neck, shoulders, and jaw
• Headaches
• Digestive problems
• Racing heart
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fatigue despite rest

Behavioral Signs

• Irritability and anger: The most common "acceptable" male expression of anxiety
• Workaholism: Staying busy to avoid uncomfortable feelings
• Substance use: Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs
• Avoidance: Dodging situations, conversations, or people that trigger anxiety
• Control: Trying to manage anxiety by controlling everything around them
• Distraction: Excessive TV, gaming, phone use to avoid thoughts

Mental Signs

• Constant worry about work, money, health, or family
• Racing or intrusive thoughts
• Difficulty concentrating
• Expecting the worst
• Perfectionism and fear of failure
• Difficulty relaxing or "turning off"

Many men don't say "I feel anxious." They say "I'm stressed" or "I'm frustrated" or "Everything is annoying me." The language is different, but the underlying experience may be the same.

Why Men Don't Recognize Anxiety

According to the American Psychological Association, traditional masculine norms can make anxiety especially difficult for men to identify and address:

• They may have been taught that fear or nervousness is weakness
• They may not have learned to identify or name emotions
• They may see asking for help as failure
• They may believe they should be able to handle it alone
• They may not recognize their symptoms as anxiety

What to Do About It

• Name it: Recognizing anxiety for what it is removes some of its power
• Physical intervention: Exercise is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety
• Reduce substances: Alcohol and caffeine can worsen anxiety significantly
• Sleep: Poor sleep and anxiety feed each other in a vicious cycle
• Talk to someone: Therapy isn't weakness—it's strategy
• Consider medication: For some, medication can be a helpful tool

If anxiety is affecting your work, relationships, or quality of life, that's not something to push through. It's something to address. According to Harvard Medical School, untreated chronic anxiety increases risk for heart disease, digestive disorders, and weakened immune function.