Mental Health Challenges for Men are Underdiagnosed
Men's mental health issues often go undiagnosed due to reluctance to seek help, perceived societal expectations, stigma, belief in self-reliance and lack of awareness until the crisis hits. Self-sabotage and unresolved trauma are also factors.
Exploration:
If you are curious, go through each one of the emotional states below and rate yourself on a 1-10 scale where 1 is low and 10 is high. This is not an assessment nor an attempt to diagnose. Simply check in with yourself for a few moments. Be gentle. There is no room for judgement nor condemnation.
Men tend not to talk openly about their emotional struggles. However, individualized care can help men better understand themselves, establish healthy coping strategies and gain a deeper understanding into those events being explored.
Emotional State:
1. Depression: Persistent sadness and loss of interest affecting daily life functions
2. Anxiety: Excessive worry and fear impacting daily activities and overall well-being
3. Panic: Intense, sudden fear or anxiety causing overwhelming physical and emotional reactions
4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Trauma-induced disorder with flashbacks, nightmares, and severe emotional distress
5. Complex PTSD (cPTSD): Chronic PTSD from prolonged trauma, over multiple events causing deep emotional and psychological distress
6. Chemical Addiction: A chronic, compulsive dependence on a substance that alters brain chemistry, leading to intense cravings and loss of control despite harmful consequences.
7. Process Addiction: Addiction to behaviors (e.g., sex, work, internet gaming, social media usage, gambling, shopping) rather than substances
8. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Disorder causing persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity issues, may have origins in trauma
9. Eating Disorders: unhealthy eating behaviors coupled with distorted body image
10. Body Image Issues: Distorted perception of one's appearance affecting self-esteem and emotional well-being
11. Sleep: Conditions affecting sleep quality, timing, or duration, disrupting overall health and daily functioning.