How Stress Shows Up Differently in Men

Stress doesn’t always look the same in men as it does in women. While women often report sadness or worry, men’s stress can come out as anger, withdrawal, or shutting down. Knowing how stress shows up in you can be the first step toward handling it.

Common Ways Stress Shows Up in Men

• Irritability or anger. Small things set you off.

• Numbing out. Burying yourself in work, screens, or substances.

• Disconnection. Pulling away from your partner, kids, or friends.

• Physical strain. Headaches, tight shoulders, stomach issues.

Why Men Experience Stress This Way

• Many men are taught to avoid “soft” emotions like sadness, so stress reroutes itself into anger or silence.

• Social pressure makes it harder to admit when things feel overwhelming.

• Work cultures — especially in trades or first responder jobs — reward toughness, not vulnerability.

What Can Help

• Recognizing stress early instead of waiting for it to explode.

• Healthy outlets — exercise, connection, short breaks.

• Talking it out with someone who gets it.

Stress doesn’t make you weak. It means you’re human. And when you deal with it directly, you don’t just help yourself — you show up stronger for the people who need you.

You don’t have to wait until stress takes over. Counselling can give you tools to manage it before it hits the breaking point. Book a session today.