According to data from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing survey, 23% of Australian males have reported an anxiety disorder (34% for females). Anxiety can be manageable for some, and debilitating for others- often affecting close relationships, occupational employment and physical wellbeing.
Anxiety also has a broader economic impact. According to Australian Government reports, anxiety disorders result in hundreds of millions of dollars in direct healthcare costs, and also loss in productivity.
With 1 in 4 men impacted by anxiety, and up to 61% of adolescent boys experiencing anxiety symptoms, a relevant question to ask is- what are the pathways men seek for addressing anxiety?
Men’s help-seeking pathways for anxiety study
Research published in the SSM- Mental Health Journal, ‘mapped the help-seeking pathways of 419 Australian-based men for anxiety’. Study participants were recruited through online social media advertisements from the Movember Foundation.
Study participants
A total of 419 men participated in this online survey. The participant demographics were-
- The majority of men (68%) were between 26-60 years of age.
- Most men had participated in multiple therapy experiences previously (77%).
- 46% were in fulltime employment, 14% of men were unemployed.
- 42% reported being in a married or defacto relationship, 33% were single.
- The majority were heterosexual (72%), with 27% identifying as gay or bisexual.
- Most men lived in metropolitan settings (67%).
Study results
Following thematic analysis of the men’s survey responses, three themes emerged which are discussed below. All quotes have been taken direct from the original manuscript.
Theme 1: Tipping points
Male participants described common tipping points that resulted in them considering help-seeking, with relationship breakdowns for most common. As tensions increased, so did feelings of anxiety. As one man explained,
“Issues with my partner at the time. A lot of built-up anxiety and uncertainty about why I was struggling with it.”
Stress about employment and work responsibilities were also significant anxiety triggers for some men,
“Couldn’t sleep at night due to worrying about work. Long term, about would I be able to provide for my family well enough.”
For men with existing mental health issues, anxiety exacerbated symptoms and emotions,
“I go in and out of depression constantly. I always have crippling anxiety, it never leaves. I manage to keep it at bay somewhat but have regular suicidal ideation and worsens considerably during periods of high anxiety. I suppose I feel what’s the point in living with unbearable anxiety and depression especially if I can’t manage it.”
Theme 2: Reclusive causes & consequences
Men reported escalating physical symptoms such as aches, pains, breathlessness and panic attacks which resulted in some disengaging from social situations which triggered their anxiety,
“A series of panic attacks that led up to a large panic attack that required me to step down from my regular position at work.”
Anxiety often contributed to insomnia, which exacerbated symptoms in some men, and affected overall quality of life,
“When my worries prevented me to sleep at night. I couldn’t relax at all. Not sleeping caused my health to deteriorate.”
High expectations either placed by others (externally) or by internal values which were not met, were significant stressors for many men in this study,
“Overwhelming non-stop high expectations that are unattainable and tire me out.”
“A lot of identity confusion – aimlessness & fear of others’ perceptions of myself. Inability to somewhat accept myself as a person overall, especially as a gay man who maybe isn’t stereotypically flamboyant.”
Theme 3: Help-seeking
When anxiety was believed to be beyond an individual’s own control, help-seeking was often then recognised as a necessity,
“I was in a position where I had really low self-esteem and was struggling to talk to others and form new relationships. I was tired of having this barrier … “
Some men arrived at counselling by taking proactive measures to address the increasing stress and anxiety in their lives,
“I was heading into uncharted territories and felt out of my depth. I always suggest counselling to others so [I] … thought to follow my own advice as I didn’t feel I could do it on my own.”
One man described how his role as a father, was the pretext to help-seeking,
“I stopped playing with my children and enjoying family life … it all became too much.” He stated that whilst he could not see the steps in front of him, he wanted to change, “if not for myself then for those I love.”
Study conclusions
The researchers concluded their study by observing that; ‘now, more than ever interventions targeting men’s anxiety should accentuate the need for and benefits of mental health treatments’.
‘The pathways mapped in the current study go some way toward highlighting the potential for tapping positive masculine virtues to norm Australian men’s help-seeking for anxiety as a strength-based, asset- building practice’.
Expert Opinion: Dr Krista Fisher, Research Fellow at the Movember Institute of Men’s Health
Men’s journeys to help-seeking were shaped by tipping points and a compounding cycle of causes and consequences, ultimately steering them down two distinct help-seeking pathways: defiant or defeat.
The defiant pathway was marked by a desire to take control. Men saw help-seeking as a way to overcome or combat their anxiety. In contrast, the defeat pathway was a resignation of men’s own coping limits. Men had reached a point where their anxiety experiences overwhelmed their ability to cope independently. Men often viewed therapy as a last resort after reaching breaking point.
For some, external forces such as family, partners, or health professionals acted as critical catalysts, helping bridge the gap into treatment. For others, the decision was deeply internal, driven by motivations tied to self-betterment, empowerment, and personal growth.
