4 Signs Of Ageing That Impact Men’s Mental Health
It’s a man’s world, so at least you don’t have to put up with the stuff that women and minorities do on a daily basis. This is true, but it doesn’t make your life any easier. According to statistics, males are the most affected by suicide, proving that men are at risk and need to seek help when feeling down.
Something that surprises lots of men is the fact that the signs of ageing are major causes. Typically, women worry about lines and wrinkles as they are always pressured to look their best. Men can walk around without being judged, or so the theory goes.
In reality, the guys are impacted by the warning signs just like the ladies are, and it’s something every man must accept. As you age, you could experience self-esteem issues, and you’re not alone. Here are the four features of ageing that lead to mental health problems in men and how to combat them.
Hair Loss
The biggest one of all is hair loss. At fifty, a stunning 85% of men will experience a thinning hairline of some sort as male pattern baldness is common. However, it’s the fact that younger guys have to put up with it that makes it tougher to accept – two-thirds of men will experience some degree of hair loss by the time they reach thirty-five. For many young people, it occurs in their early twenties.
Clearly, young men are susceptible to judging and criticism, especially since balding is a feature that society has picked up on and extenuated. Thankfully, the earlier you realise there is a problem, the more hair you can prevent falling out. Using caffeine shampoos is a fantastic tip as the formula eliminates dandruff, keeping the scalp healthy. Alternatively, if it’s a medical thing, your doctor might prescribe finasteride, so speak to a GP if you’re worried.
The main weapon is a positive attitude. The more you stress, the higher your cortisol levels and the more your hair will thin.
Bad Stomach
In your youth, you would boast about your iron stomach. Now, a little bit of hot sauce leaves you strategically looking for a public toilet! Lots of men deal with digestive and intestinal issues as they age, yet it’s not comforting if your imagination is vivid. After all, prostate, bowel, and colon cancers are worries for everybody, but mainly men.
The first port of call is to call a doctor. If they are worried, they’ll take a scan and evaluate the results. Even then, though, it’s important to be on guard in case your circumstances change. It’s not pretty, yet checking the toilet after you’ve been for a number two is a potential lifesaver as you can spot warning signs due to the colour.
Other than that, you have to admit that it’s time to lay-off the spicy ingredients and give your stomach a break.
Loneliness
Loneliness has been described as a ticking time bomb for men. There’s no doubt it’s not gender-specific, but guys tend to experience it more often and more intensely, partly because males find it harder to open up about their fears. What fears? Well, divorce is something that affects almost 100,000 opposite-sex couples per year.
Guys also struggle with a lack of a support group. Nearly one-fifth of males don’t have one close friend, while 32% don’t have a best friend. The rates for women are lower, so it seems that ageing men can become quite solitary.
The good news is, you don’t have to fall into this category. Falling out of touch with people happens all the time and is passed off, yet you now understand the need to maintain a connection. All it takes is a message or phone call to let your support group know you’re around and rely on them.
Boredom
With age comes boredom. At least, that’s how it appears when you’re approaching your sixties and retirement is imminent. The idea of not working is conflicting – you want less stress and responsibility, but you need challenges and social interaction.
In this case, you can continue working well into your golden years. Of course, the key is to set the terms. For instance, you should go part-time to add flexibility to your schedule. Alternatively, if you are desperate to leave the office, a man cave is ideal. You still might have nothing to do, yet at least it’s your space and decide the next activity.
Like women, men age and suffer from mental health issues along the way. Your job is to accept this and address the problem head-on.
