With Men’s Mental Health Week approaching, it’s a timely reminder for men to check in on their emotional wellbeing. Despite growing awareness, many still ignore early warning signs, often brushing off symptoms until they escalate into a crisis.
“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, explains.
Luckily, the expert 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 expert, 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’re 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
Dr 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,” the expert 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 expert 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,” he observes.
The expert 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
Dr 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.”
This reluctance to seek help contributes to concerning statistics. According to a government report published in April 2025 from the Department of Health and Social Care, men in England die nearly four years earlier than women on average, with mental health playing a significant role.
The report also notes that suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50, with around three in four people who died by suicide in 2023 being men.
The expert observes that early intervention can prevent mental health conditions from escalating to crisis point. “You should treat mental health with the same importance as physical health. You wouldn’t ignore a persistent pain or physical symptom, and mental health deserves the same attention.
“The first step is recognising that what you’re experiencing isn’t just part of life – it’s something that deserves proper attention and care. Simply talking to a GP, a trusted friend, or using an online service can be the first step towards feeling better. Most mental health conditions respond well to treatment when caught early.
“Watch for prolonged feelings of sadness, changes in sleep patterns, or loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed,” he warns. “These aren’t just bad moods – they’re potential signs of clinical depression that need attention.”
