Men's mental health

The__ViKinG__BATMAN

Fellas, I know it's difficult, I understand the struggle because I go through it, one thing about this site is, we are all striving to feel healthier and better ourselves, and as men, we should support other men to talk, you're not alone

RealWorldStrengthLLC

Bipolar with anxiety here. Also, history of polysubstance abuse issues and an unparalleled talent for self destruction.

I keep things in mostly in check with meds, weight lifting, meditation, and tracking my food intake. Notice how I said partially in check...I am strict during the week with diet - and I'm a little more lax on weekends- I've found that if I don't let my self-destructive side out at least a little bit it will eventually break free and be 100x worse. I allow myself to drink pretty freely on the weekends and be hyper social/party a fair amount. If I don't I'm pretty much liable to go straight edge for 10 months and then snap and fly off to Cabo to drink on a beach with random women for 2 months and blow 20k.

The things I do every day though- meds, working out, and meditating- those are the backbone of it all.

CalgaryMac

I have a long history of anxiety and panic attacks. The panic is heightened in buses and airplanes or being in gatherings of people where I become anxious that I won't be able to leave the room should I need to. My anxiety seems to percolate in the background all the time. For a number of years it was all well controlled by Effexor XR - didn't kill the feelings entirely but it was much easier to function. Five years ago I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and was put on blood thinner. Then I started to experience spontaneous nose bleeds that were severe and included passing blood clots. It was discovered after about 6 months that the Effexor affected blood clotting so that it was impacted by the blood thinners. I stopped the Effexor and have had no bleeding since. My anxiety is lessened as I retired and the reduction in work related stress has been wonderful. I still need a 1 mg dose of Ativan when I fly. Things are much better. My entire life has been impacted by the anxiety and unfortunately with men, doctors seem to look more physical explanations and not consider emotional and mental health issues. My diagnosis was so long in coming that I think I have ongoing consequences. I am able to fake not being anxious and always have the option of staying home. Despite this I have had a great career and life - I have been lucky.