Simon G. Niblock

“Men are often inclined to present anxiety in ’secondary’ emotional, physical, or behavioral ways. In other words, anxiety often sits beneath some other form of presentation; for example, expressing anger or aggression (a secondary emotion) rather than conveying fear or apprehension (a primary emotion). This is because anger is, hypocritically, a more socially accepted form of emotional expression for men than for women.
In men, anxiety may express itself in secondary emotional or physical forms such as:

• Anger
• Irritability or ’being on edge’
• Restlessness
• Depressed mood
• Fatigue and/or burnout
• Difficulty concentrating or being present
• Sexual health issues (such as erectile dysfunction)

Men are also more inclined to adopt compensatory behaviors that serve as coping strategies for their anxiety, such as:

• Antisocial behavior or withdrawing
• Risky behaviors or activities
• Addictive behaviors (such as pornography or gaming)
• Substance abuse”
― Simon G. Niblock, Anxiety Workbook for Men: Evidence-Based Exercises to Manage Anxiety, Depression, and Worry