The Unique Challenges of Men’s Issues to Address in Therapy for Men
Today, it is more evident than ever that both men and women can benefit equally from therapy. Whether an individual is navigating what they’ve been told it means to “be a man” or exploring a new male identity, being a man in America comes with its own set of challenges and complications.
When we say men’s issues, we are referencing concerns that impact male-identifying clients’ emotional, physical, and mental health. The men’s therapists at our Wilmington-based counseling center understand that men’s issues are tough and can feel overwhelming. And, we’re here to support you with therapy for men in Wilmington, NC. We can help you work through unique challenges for men to really change your life for the better. So, let’s work together to make small changes that yield big results.
What do we mean by “men’s issues”?
While there is not a specific definition for “men’s issues,” they are commonly defined as problems that arise due to the cultural and social connotations of manlihood.
For example, many men are taught it is “unmanly” to cry to show emotion, thus emotional unavailability, difficulty naming emotions, and difficulty expressing oneself for this reason are men’s issues.
Not all men experience men’s issues and women can experience similar issues as well.
How Men’s Issues Show Up:
No matter what mental or physical challenges you’re facing, your experience is valid. And you deserve to be seen, heard, and understood. At Evolution Wellness, your feelings and circumstances truly matter.
Mental health concerns manifest different for everyone, but here are some frequent symptoms/issues experienced by men:
- Anger, aggression, and irritability: Men who are told as boys to “suck it up and be a man” may have difficulties channeling negative emotions in an accurate and appropriate way. As a result, they may be more prone to angry outbursts, irritable moods, and aggressive behavior.
- Substance use: While both women and men experience substance use, men are more likely to binge drink, overdose using prescription opioids, and misuse alcohol. Marijuana use in males is also likely to lead to an additional substance use disorder. One of the leading causes of substance abuse in males is depression. Both substance abuse and depression are topics addressed in therapy.
- Sexual issues: Males are constantly told what their sex life and sex drive should look like. Men are not told, however, what to do if their libido or sexual functioning does not match their expectations. Examining the reason behind irregular sexual functioning and what this means to them is another issue men may bring into therapy.
- Intimacy and expressing love: Many men have not modeled any forms of expressing love other than performing acts of service. This is enough for some relationships, but other relationships may include a partner that responds mainly to verbal, physical, and emotional displays of affections. Therapy can help address how to send and receive messages to a partner.
- Suicidality: Men are more likely than females to attempt suicide in highly lethal ways such as utilizing a gun or hanging. Men are also far more likely than females to complete a suicide attempt. While there is no direct explanation for the higher rates of suicide in males, possible influences include:
- Decreased tendency to seek mental health help due to stigma
- Decreased desire to ask for help due to gender roles
- Heightened risk for depression
- Reduced mental health resources for men
Whatever the reason, suicidality is increased is men and can certainly be addressed and helped by mental health therapy.
- Avoiding emotions: Similar to anger and irritability issues, men who are taught that expressing emotions is equivalent to weakness may have a hard time showing emotions to others or even identifying their own feelings to themselves. Therapy is one way to practice naming emotions and sitting with them instead of pushing them away.
Therapy Can Help
Statistically, men are far less likely to seek help for mental health issues than women are. Less men seek help for depression and anxiety than women. Men are also more likely to die by suicide than women. Therapy is a great resource for treating depression, anxiety, suicidality, and many other issues that men face.
Additionally, stigma exists regarding men seeking mental health help for certain issues. For example, men are less likely to report sexual assault and sexual abuse due to the outrageous myth that men cannot be abused. The same goes for domestic violence.
If you’re interested in asking for help in any of these areas plus more, please reach out to our office at (910) 202-4326 to speak to someone about counseling for men’s issues.
How would therapy benefit me?
Therapy is a safe space to explore all sorts of topics. Therapists are especially good at helping people identify feelings and appropriate expression of those feelings. Additionally, therapists can help you explore your own values and strip away the influence of society and gender roles on those values. If identification of feelings, exploration of emotions, and recounting of experiences sounds like something you’d want, call the office at (910) 202-4326 to get started with a professional today.
It’s time to get the help you need and deserve. At our Wilmington, NC area counseling center we can help you foster positive changes so that you can break free from worry, unnecessary expectations, and overwhelm. In addition, therapy for men will empower you to grow into your strengths and love yourself for who you truly are.
Read More About Therapy for Men in Wilmington, NC
We can help you cope with and process various issues men face throughout your lives! Here are a few blog posts by our expert men’s therapists:
Begin Therapy for Men in Wilmington, NC
It’s okay to not be okay. However, we are so happy that you found us and are ready to start your journey towards healing. The men’s therapists at our counseling center in Wilmington, NC are confident that together, we can find strategies that help you start feeling better as soon as possible. Plus, we offer online therapy in North Carolina for added convenience in meeting with a men’s therapist. Follow the steps below to start therapy for men in Wilmington, NC.
- Contact our counseling center at (910) 202-4326.
- Get matched with one of our skilled men’s therapists.
- Find relief from your pain and be the man you want to be.
Other Services at Evolution Wellness
At our counseling center in Wilmington, NC we provide mental health services to meet your needs, both in-person and online. However, we don’t only provide therapy for men. We also provide therapy services in North Carolina for anxiety treatment, depression treatment, and trauma therapy and PTSD treatment. Our methods include, but are not limited to EMDR therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Further, we offer counseling for families, couples, and teens, too! Our welcoming and compassionate therapists are ready to meet you where you are and help you heal.
