Men Are As Vulnerable To Stress As Women Are

Before batteries die, they get drained! Men are as vulnerable to stress as women are, but they are often less likely to recognise it or admit to it. We are socialised to believe that men must not cry, admit to stress, depression or anxiety and be strong all the time. This can often exacerbate levels or stress and prevent men from seeking help when it is needed.

We can think of stress in two ways: eustress, which can be thought of as helpful stress and distress, which can be thought of as unhelpful and damaging stress.
Men are not always good at recognising stress in them, and stress is clearly an individual experience. What one man finds stressful, another will not, and what can be stressful at one time may not cause stress during another time of your life.

Below are some of the physical signs and symptoms of stress experienced in men.

Remember that stress is an individual experience and that symptoms are too:

• Chest pain
• Pounding heart
• High blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Diminished or increased sex drive
• Muscle aches, such as back and neck pain
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Clenched jaws and grinding teeth
• Tightness, dryness or a feeling of a having lump in your throat
• Indigestion
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Increased perspiration
• Stomach cramps
• Weight gain or loss
• Skin problems

The psychological signs and symptoms of stress include:

• Sadness
• Depression
• Crying
• Withdrawal or isolation
• Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Worry
• Restless anxiety
• Irritability, anger or decreased anger control
• Overeating or anorexia
• Feelings of insecurity
• Decreased productivity
• Job dissatisfaction
• Changes in close relationships
• Increased smoking
• Increased use of alcohol and drugs

The language of stress is largely borrowed from engineering in which we talk of stress, strain, tolerance, resilience, breaking points, flexibility, elasticity, etc. of materials. Stress is a protector in that it gives us a mechanism for dealing with threats. We have the ability to confront threats or avoid them; the so-called "fight or flight" mechanism.

Stress can be good as well as bad. Without some stress we would not get the adrenaline up to win races, solve problems, take exams and make important changes.

Stress, particularly long-term stress, can be a factor in the onset or worsening of ill health and a shortened lifespan. Stress management is essential to wellbeing and something we should practice every day.

Contact me on 084 779 4889 to help you develop a strategy to manage stress. Visit my website on www.nadinetherapy.co.za.

Credit: verywellmind.