Men and women often experience the same mental health conditions in different ways, and treating their conditions may require different approaches. Recognizing the signs of mental illness early and responding appropriately can not only make it easier for a person to receive treatment and recover from mental health disorders, but it may even save their life. At Carolina Dunes Behavioral Health, in Leland, North Carolina, we use tailored treatment plans to help adolescents and adults manage their mental health diagnoses.
Mental Illness in Men
Men make up half of the population, and they can develop mental health concerns because it is only human to struggle sometimes. In the United States:
- One in ten patients with bulimia and anorexia is male.
- Every year, more than 6 million men experience depression.
- There are more than 3 million men with a phobia.
- There are just as many men as women with bipolar disorder.
- Men make up 90 percent of people diagnosed with schizophrenia before age 30.
Barriers to Treatment
Numerous factors interfere with men receiving help for their mental health needs. Some of these include:
- Stigma – Our society has developed a taboo around mental health in general, but this topic is even more stigmatized for men. As a result, men may receive messages that feeling any emotion besides anger is unmanly and that asking for help is a sign of weakness, or that it makes them less masculine. It is important that men and boys are taught that treating their mental health is not only acceptable but also allows them to be a better man.
- Provider responsibilities – Men are often conditioned that their responsibility to provide financially takes precedence ahead of their own mental and physical health. They may not feel that it is acceptable to take time off of work to go to therapy or to use family income to pay for treatment.
- Unhealthy messages about substance use – It is often considered acceptable and even encouraged for men to engage in heavy drinking. They may be conditioned to turn to alcohol and other drugs as a way of coping with trauma and stress, since other, healthier methods of coping are sometimes portrayed as unmanly.
- Epidemic levels of loneliness – While women and girls are often socialized to develop strong social safety nets, men are not always taught these skills. Widowers and divorced men are particularly likely to find themselves without the social support they need.
- Unrecognized symptoms – In much the same way that ADHD symptoms are missed in females because they don’t look like the expected male symptoms for the condition, mental health conditions are sometimes missed in men because their symptoms look different from female patients. Depression and anxiety are two common examples of this. Men, particularly in the early stages of these disorders, are more likely than women to present as angry, hostile, or irritable and to engage in risk-taking behaviors.
Dangers of Failing to Address Mental Health in Men
While women are more likely to receive certain mental health diagnoses, including depression, men are four times more likely to die by suicide. This is especially true in older, white men, who have the highest suicide rate of any demographic. Not only are men less likely to get treatment, but they are also more likely to own firearms, which are the most lethal method of suicide. When women attempt suicide, they are most likely to overdose, which can often be reversed if they receive rapid medical treatment. The same cannot generally be said for attempts made with guns. This difference in methods is one reason why, even though women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to kill themselves.
Mental Health Management Techniques for Men
It is important that men seek and receive effective mental health treatment from professionals who understand their specific needs. This may include a combination of medication, therapy, and coping skills development, to enhance their ability to understand their own emotions, find new ways to think about situations, and broaden their support systems. In addition, men can utilize the following strategies for managing their stress and mental health conditions:
- Avoiding alcohol and other substances
- Developing structures and routines
- Prioritizing adequate sleep
- Engaging in regular exercise and outdoor time
- Eating a healthy, nutritionally balanced diet
Reaching Out for Help
If you need support for your mental health, you can start by:
- Talking to your primary care doctor – they can rule out medical causes for symptoms and make referrals to mental health providers.
- Reaching out to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 – this will put you in touch with a trained crisis counselor who can help you process what is happening in your life and determine next steps.
- Visiting FindTreatment.gov and using their search tool to find mental health providers in your area
At Carolina Dunes Behavioral Health, we offer inpatient treatment for acute psychiatric issues. Our team specializes in helping patients and their families navigate severe symptoms and mental health crises and working with community providers to facilitate a smooth transition back to the patient’s family, home, job, and community.
