Sometimes men are reluctant to undergo counseling. Men have difficulties with life just like anybody else. In fact, some issues tend to be more specific to men. If you know a man who is interested in counseling, a therapist or counselor at Therapy Unlocked can help. A trained clinician will provide you with the tools to make positive change.

Although men suffer from common issues like depression and anxiety, some problems are more specific to men.

1. Substance Abuse: Men use drugs at a higher rate and are two to three times more likely to suffer from a substance abuse disorder when compared to women. Men may turn to drugs as a way to cope with problems because they are less likely to disclose issues and seek help.

2. Emotional Unavailability: Men are famous for being emotionally unavailable. From a young age, boys are told that a real man does not express sadness or elation. Crying is a definite no-no. While it may be macho to suppress your feelings, emotional unavailability can lead to detached relationships and a lack of intimacy, among other problems.

3. Pornography: You may be thinking, what’s the big deal? Don’t all guys look at porn? Well, men are six times as likely to look at pornography than women. While some people may watch pornography without it causing significant issues, excessive use of pornography is associated with romantic relationship problems, financial difficulties, and depressive feelings.

4. Sexual Performance Problems: Sexual issues sometimes have a physiological basis but they are often rooted in a psychological problem. Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and a lack of sex drive may all be the consequence of a mental health issue such as anxiety. Sex is a sensitive problem for men in the first place; when they are having performance issues it may feel like a direct threat to their manhood.

5. Job Issues: Men frequently believe that their occupation is the most important part of their identity. When someone asks them, “who are you?”, they often respond with their job title. Because their identity is so tied to their job, difficulties at work can negatively affect their self-image and mood. Unemployment is a particularly difficult problem with which to cope.

Men who don’t get help often face serious consequences. Unaddressed problems may lead to further psychological issues, the dissolution of relationships, and the loss of work. Even more gravely, men may become so despondent that they contemplate self-harm; men commit suicide more than three times as often as women.

If you have a problem you need to address it is important to seek assistance. There are therapists at Therapy Unlocked that can provide you with the counseling you need in a confidential setting. If you feel like you may suffer from a men’s issue please call us at 512-993-2995 or schedule an appointment online.

I doesn’t matter if you are in San Antonio or Round Rock, in Denton or the panhandle. Wherever you are in Texas, we are there to help.