Mental health has become an increasingly discussed topic, yet many men still continue to ignore early warning signs, often brushing off symptoms until they escalate into a crisis.
In particular, too many men continue to overlook early warning signs of mental health struggles, often dismissing symptoms or attributing them to stress or fatigue. This tendency to ignore emotional wellbeing can allow issues to escalate into more serious conditions if left unaddressed.
“Men are more likely to attribute physical changes and warning signs to work stress or just assume they are ‘having a bad day’ than to recognise these patterns as potential indicators of a mental health struggle,” Dr Junaid Hussain, a GP from manconfidence.co.uk, tells Digital Journal.
Hussain has outlined five common but often overlooked warning signs of mental health issues to help you better understand yourself (or support a loved one who may be struggling).
Physical symptoms
According to the Hussain, men frequently normalise feelings of constant worry or racing thoughts, and fail to recognise them (and other symptoms) as an indication of anxiety or other issues.
He explains that many men experience chest tightness, digestive issues, rapid heartbeat, and other physical signs, but will usually think they have a physical health problem – it most likely won’t even cross their minds that what they are experiencing could be related to their mental state.
“It’s very important to listen to your body and recognise what it’s trying to tell you. This can help you understand whether something is physical or emotional, and when a deeper mental health issue may be developing.”
Changes in sleep patterns
Hussain reveals that changes in sleep patterns can also signal that something isn’t quite right, but men often ignore or brush them aside. Sleep disruption is both a symptom and trigger of mental health problems, and if you are struggling to fall asleep, waking frequently during the night, or feeling exhausted despite sleeping for many hours, you should take this seriously.
“When you sleep, your brain processes emotions and restores balance. When that rest is disrupted, it can heighten anxiety, cloud your judgement, and lower emotional resilience. Over time, this can create a vicious cycle where your poor sleep worsens your mental health, and struggling with mental health makes it even harder to get a good, restful night’s sleep,” Hussain observes.
Irritability
The third warning sign involves changes in anger responses or irritability. If you find yourself snapping at loved ones, experiencing road rage, or feeling constantly on edge, it’s important to consider (and be open to accepting) that these could be signs of an underlying mental health issue.
“In many cases, irritability is an overlooked symptom of depression in men. Instead of appearing withdrawn or tearful, emotional distress may show up as agitation or frustration.
Anger often masks deeper emotions like sadness or fear, which men may find harder to express. This substitution happens unconsciously, but the resulting outbursts can damage relationships and worsen mental health,” the Hussain explains.
Social withdrawal
Another common sign frequently ignored by men is social withdrawal. According to the expert, gradually pulling away from friends, family, and activities once enjoyed can indicate developing depression or anxiety.
“Men will often rationalise social withdrawal as ‘needing space’ or being ‘too busy with work’, but persistent avoidance of social connection is rarely healthy. Social isolation can both stem from and worsen mental health conditions,” Hussain finds.
Hussain further notes that temporary solitude can be healthy, especially for you to reconnect with yourself, but warns that consistent disconnection can deepen feelings of loneliness and reinforce negative thinking.
How to address mental health issues
Hussain emphasises that seeking help for these symptoms is not a sign of weakness but of self-awareness and strength. “The stigma around men’s mental health remains powerful despite progress in recent years. Many men still believe they should ‘tough it out’ or ‘pull themselves together’ rather than seeking professional support.”
