In fact, it’s estimated that about 60% of men and half of all women will go through a traumatic experience in their lifetimes. The symptoms related to trauma have been well-researched and documented. Yet, they can manifest themselves differently in men versus women.
For men, or those who know a male who has been through trauma, knowing how trauma symptoms appear in men can be very helpful with providing support.
This is especially important as oftentimes men struggle to ask for help on their own.
Consider how these trauma symptoms appear in men.
Irritability and Trauma Symptoms in Men
One trauma symptom that often appears in men is irritability. This is otherwise known as grumpiness. Think about it for a moment. Do you or someone you know always have this negative outlook or perspective on life? Are they always appearing to be out of sorts? This might not always be so obvious.
However, someone who is grumpy usually presents themselves that way most of the time. It can make having conversations with them awkward, and they will appear to be standoffish. This is because the grumpiness is a self-defense mechanism for avoiding to be hurt. It’s safer to keep people at bay than to let them in. Also, if the trauma is always present on your mind, then you are already going to have a negative outlook anyway.
Men, Anger, and Trauma
Another way that trauma symptoms appear in men is through anger. Men may struggle with maintaining control over very difficult emotions, feelings, and memories. Sometimes, when if they lash out at others, it’s because they are caught in a flashback. They are reverting back to more primal ways of protecting themselves. However, the problem is that their anger can cause real emotional and physical damage to others. For example:
Abusing their partner
Having a “hot temper”
Experiencing road rage
Saying hurtful things to others
A corresponding problem with men and anger is that men are often not taught or encouraged to express their emotions productively. This actually resonates all the way back to childhood. Thus, as adults, they struggle to use healthy ways of expressing the pain associated with trauma.
Increased Alcohol Use
Men are more likely to get caught up in alcohol abuse because of trauma. This is because the alcohol helps to “numb” the memories and emotions associated with the traumatic event. Depending on the situation, some men will consume too much alcohol in a group setting, such as with friends at a bar.
Many will write this off as “blowing off steam.” However, the real reason is that they are using alcohol to cope due to trauma. On the opposite end of the spectrum, men might consume alcohol alone. Both are possibilities when men are struggling from the effects of trauma
Loneliness and Isolation
If you have been through a trauma or multiple traumatic events, it can be hard to relate to people who haven’t had the same life experiences. For men, who are already at risk of isolating themselves and not connecting with others about their trauma, this is certainly a concern. For example, the soldier who has fought in war may not feel that other people who haven’t had that same lived experience will understand. Thus, they may isolate themselves.
Yet, we know that talking about your emotions and feelings can help with healing from trauma.
Everyone has their own ways of coping when it comes to difficult life experiences. However, with men, it’s important to recognize the particular signs of how they deal with trauma. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for help from a therapist who is trauma-informed and trained in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).