Men and Mental Health

Men and women can develop most of the same mental disorders and conditions but may experience different symptoms. Some symptoms include:

• Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
• Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge
• Increased worry or feeling stressed
• Misuse of alcohol and/or drugs
• Sadness or hopelessness
• Suicidal thoughts
• Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions
• Engaging in high-risk activities
• Aches, headaches, digestive problems without a clear cause
• Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior
• Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life
• Unusual thinking or behaviors that concern other people

Mental disorders can be treated: If you are unsure where to go for help, ask your family doctor or visit NIMH’s Help for Mental Illnesses webpage. Communicating well with your health care provider can improve your care and help you both make good choices about your health. Read about tips to help prepare and get the most out of your visit. For additional resources, including questions to ask your health care provider, visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

If you or someone you know is in a crisis, get help immediately. You can call 911 or call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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Some of the mental disorders affecting men include:

• Anxiety Disorders including social phobia
• Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders
• Suicide Prevention

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Federal Resources

• Brother, You’re on My Mind: This National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities initiative uses a variety of activities to raise awareness of the mental health challenges associated with depression and stress that affect African American men and their families.
• Men’s Health: National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus offers resources on men’s health (en Español).
• Mental Health for Men: This blog post from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health discusses the importance of supporting men’s mental health.
• National Center for PTSD: A program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, this Center offers targeted information for anyone interested in post-traumatic stress disorder (including Veterans, family, and friends). 
• Preventing Suicide among Men in the Middle Years: Recommendations for Suicide Prevention Programs: This Suicide Prevention Resource Center created this resource to help state and community suicide prevention programs design and implement projects to prevent suicide among men in the middle years.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: SAMHSA offers publications addressing the specific needs of men.

Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions. The goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. Although individuals may benefit from being part of a clinical trial, participants should be aware that the primary purpose of a clinical trial is to gain new scientific knowledge so that others may be better helped in the future.

Researchers at NIMH and around the country conduct many studies with patients and healthy volunteers. We have new and better treatment options today because of what clinical trials uncovered years ago. Be part of tomorrow’s medical breakthroughs. Talk to your health care provider about clinical trials, their benefits and risks, and whether one is right for you.

To learn more or find a study, visit:

• NIMH’s Clinical Trials webpage: Information about participating in clinical trials
• Join a Study: Adults: List of studies being conducted on the NIH Campus in Bethesda, MD

Why should men participate in clinical studies?

Sex and gender can influence health in important ways. You can help scientists learn more about the differences and make it possible to draw conclusions that advance health for both men and women. NIMH is committed to ensuring that men trying to decide whether to enroll in a clinical study get all the information they need to feel comfortable and make informed decisions.

Last Reviewed: June 2021

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