Most Common Male Mental Health Disorders To Look Out For

By: VGFS
Monday, June 12, 2023

 

As we celebrate all the men in our lives this Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to identify how we can support men and their mental health. 

According to the National Institute of Health, men are diagnosed with depression at low rates, however, have higher rates of suicide and poor engagement with mental health services. Additionally, Newport Institute notes that men are less likely than women to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder and less likely to seek treatment when they are.  

If men seek out mental health services, they are more likely to downplay their symptoms and reluctant to seek extended care, such as meeting with a psychiatrist or committing to ongoing talk therapy. Men’s masculinity plays a significant role in these disparities due to how men are socialized in society.  Too often, men don’t talk about their feelings with others.  Instead, they focus on issues that are functional, such as work or sex.  Hiding behind these types of issues only exacerbates the emotional symptoms and causes many men to suffer in silence. 

For men, hiding difficult emotions can lead to increased discomfort.  Seeking help and committing to consistent mental health care can help decrease uncomfortable feelings and allow healthier relationships for men and their families.  Here are the most common male mental health disorders to look out for:

Depression

Male depression is currently one of the biggest mental health concerns for this population.  According to the National Health Institute, approximately one in nine men will be diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) in their lifetime.  This research indicates that men are substantially undiagnosed when we look at the suicide rates of women versus men, being that men are four times as likely to die from suicide than women. 

Anxiety

According to Newport Institute, anxiety in men often leads to higher rates of substance use disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Anxiety disorders that often get overlooked in men include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 60% of men experience at least one trauma in their lives that is typically related to accidents, physical assaults, combat, or witnessing a death or injury, compared to 50% of women. Symptoms that can show up in men are physical pain, shame, fear, and inability to show affection. Additionally, PTSD and substance abuse can go hand in hand. 

Substance Use Disorder

Problematic drinking and other male substance abuse can be seen as socially acceptable for young men in our society. Therefore, it is less frequently recognized as a symptom of a male mental health issue. According to AddictionCenter.com, men are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol than women, and 11.5% of boys and men over 12 have a substance use disorder. 

Bipolar Disorder 

Bipolar disorder can be identified by extreme ups and downs in mood and activity levels.  As common with the other mental health disorders listed, bipolar disorder is underdiagnosed in young men.  Sometimes the symptoms are written off as normal behavior for a young male.  Overconfidence, reckless behavior, irritability, and social withdrawal are seen as phases, however, can be clear signs of the manic and depressive phases of bipolar disorder. Additionally, the Newport Institute noted that men tend to experience less frequent cycling between bipolar phases, making it harder to recognize in males. 

There are many resources and mental health professionals available to help men with these mental health disorders. Seeking help sooner rather than later is key because symptoms can worsen and further interfere with one’s daily functioning. A mental health professional can help someone with these disorders by discussing these symptoms to come up with a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. There is nothing lost and much to gain by accepting help.  Acknowledging feelings and knowing how to manage them in a healthy way profoundly benefits personal health, friendships, and romantic relationships. 

For more information, you can reach out to us, where you can schedule a consultation and talk about your counseling needs. We can help guide you through the steps above and share our mental health resources.

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For more than 25 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved ones. For more information about our funeral, cremation, memorial, repast, and grief counseling services, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com/.

Sources:

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4907547/
  • https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/treatment/male-mental-health-disorders/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734537/
  • https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/differences-men-women/
  • https://psychcentral.com/ptsd/signs-and-symptoms-of-ptsd-in-men#men-vs-women

 

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Returning to Work After a Loved One Passes: Eight Helpful Coping Strategies

When you are returning to work after a loved one passes away, it can be an emotional journey filled with uncertainty. If the prospect of heading back to your workplace after loss feels overwhelmin...

How Should You Choose the Day and Time of the Funeral?

When bidding farewell to a cherished family member or friend, one of the most significant decisions you’ll face is selecting the appropriate day and time of the funeral. Amid the emotional challen...

Celebrating National Alcohol & Drug Recovery Month

This September we celebrate National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Starting in 1989, National Recovery Month was coined to promote and support evidence-based treatment and recovery...

Do You Know the Signs of Dehydration? Seven Sneaky Symptoms That Might Surprise You

We pay close attention to the signs of dehydration we've grown accustomed to, but these less-apparent indictors are just as important. We all know staying hydrated is critical for good health, esp...

Planning Your Own Funeral? Here's Why That's a Smart Way to Go

Planning your funeral is an act of compassion that alleviates the stress on your family, allowing them to focus on healing and cherishing your memory. There are few things in life as poignant as c...

The AFRO Honors Morticians as Unsung Heroes

The AFRO honored the “Unsung Heroes” of the COVID-19 pandemic at Valley Mansion by Martin’s on Aug. 6. At a special event earlier this month, the media company commended morticians for their...

Seven Important Considerations When Making Funeral Decisions for a Departed Loved One

Making funeral decisions can be challenging, but it also offers an opportunity to celebrate the life of your loved one. Saying goodbye to a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences any f...

August is Black-Owned Business Month: We Celebrate With You

During August, we celebrate and recognize Black Business Month and the invaluable contributions generations of Black Americans have made in our communities, economy, and world. The forward momentu...

Seven Lesser-Known Signs of Dementia that Might Surprise You

While most people are aware of its familiar symptoms like memory loss, there are lesser-known signs of dementia that can be just as important. Dementia is a condition that affects millions of indi...

Wondering What to Bring to a Funeral or Celebration of Life?

While sympathy cards or floral arrangements are customary, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to what to bring to a funeral, memorial, or life celebration. While our presence at a funera...