Men's health Life issue

Low mood in men

Low mood and depression in men is significantly underdiagnosed — men are less likely to recognise, disclose or seek help for emotional difficulties, and are four times more likely than women to die by suicide in the UK. Male depression often presents differently from the classic picture, manifesting as irritability, anger, withdrawal or substance use rather than sadness. Effective therapy is available.

See therapies that may help

What is Low mood in men?

Depression and low mood in men often presents atypically — primarily with irritability and anger; withdrawal from relationships; loss of interest in activities; increased alcohol or substance use; risk-taking behaviour; workaholism; and physical complaints without obvious cause.

Cultural conditioning plays a significant role. Messages about masculinity — that men should be stoic and self-reliant — create significant barriers to recognising and seeking help. Men are also disproportionately affected by specific risk factors including job loss, financial pressure, relationship breakdown and retirement — transitions that profoundly affect identity and purpose.

Signs and symptoms

Signs of low mood or depression in men include:

Persistent irritability, short temper or unexplained anger
Withdrawal from family, friends or previously enjoyed activities
Loss of pleasure in work, hobbies, sex or socialising
Increased alcohol consumption, drug use or other numbing behaviours
Significant sleep changes — insomnia or oversleeping
Physical symptoms: fatigue, pain, digestive problems without obvious cause
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Risk-taking or reckless behaviour

How therapy can help

Effective therapeutic approaches for depression and low mood in men:

CBT — practical, structured and goal-focused; particularly accessible to men who prefer a problem-solving approach
Behavioural activation — especially suited to the withdrawal pattern, reintroducing rewarding activities as a route back to improved mood
EMDR — for depression rooted in trauma or significant adverse life events
Exercise and physical activity — good evidence for mood improvement; can also be an accessible entry point to wider support

Seeking help

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) has a helpline (0800 58 58 58) specifically for men. Andy's Man Club offers free peer support groups across the UK. Your GP can refer to NHS talking therapies. If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call Samaritans on 116 123 or contact your GP urgently.

Therapies that may help with Low mood in men

Therapy	Evidence	Notes
Cognitive Behavioural Therapist	strong	Helps men identify and reframe the negative thought patterns and withdrawal that often drive persistent low mood.
Counsellor	strong	Offers men a confidential space to talk openly about feelings they may usually suppress, easing the weight of low mood.
EMDR Practitioner	strong	Targets unresolved distressing memories that can underpin low mood in men, helping reduce their lingering emotional charge.
ISTDP Practitioner	strong	Works rapidly with the buried emotions and defences many men use to mask low mood, helping release what's held inside.
Psychotherapist	strong	Explores the deeper emotional roots and life pressures behind a man's low mood, supporting lasting change over time.
Relationship Therapist	strong	Addresses how relationship strain and conflict can feed a man's low mood, improving connection and mutual understanding.
Sex Therapist	strong	Supports men whose low mood is tangled with sexual difficulties or intimacy worries, easing shame and restoring confidence.
Arts Therapist	moderate	Creative expression may give men a non-verbal outlet for low mood; evidence is limited, so use it alongside professional support.
Autogenic Training Practitioner	moderate	Autogenic relaxation may ease the tension and stress that accompany low mood in men; evidence is limited and it supports, not replaces, care.
EFT Practitioner	moderate	EFT tapping is sometimes used to soothe distressing feelings linked to low mood, but evidence is limited and it shouldn't replace proper care.
Hypnotherapist	moderate	Hypnotherapy may help men relax and shift unhelpful patterns around low mood; evidence is limited, so treat it as complementary to proper care.
Mindfulness Practitioner	moderate	Mindfulness can help men notice low mood without being overwhelmed, though evidence is limited and it complements proper care.

Frequently asked questions

Why are men less likely to seek mental health help?

Cultural messages about masculinity frame help-seeking as weakness. Men also have less practice with emotional vocabulary and self-reflection, and mental health services can feel designed for women. Understanding these barriers — rather than simply telling men to 'open up' — is important for making help genuinely accessible.

Does depression look different in men?

Often yes. While some men present with classic depressive features, many present primarily with irritability, anger, withdrawal, substance use, risk-taking or physical complaints. The underlying biology is the same; the expression is shaped by gender socialisation and cultural expectations.

Is CBT effective for men?

Yes — when men engage with therapy, outcomes are comparable to those for women. CBT's practical, structured approach tends to be particularly accessible to men who are more comfortable with problem-solving than open-ended emotional exploration.

What is CALM?

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is a charity specifically addressing male mental health and suicide prevention. It operates a helpline (0800 58 58 58, 5pm–midnight) and webchat for men in crisis or low mood.

Why do men have higher suicide rates than women?

Men die by suicide at around four times the rate of women in the UK. Contributing factors include lower rates of help-seeking, more lethal methods chosen, less social support, particular vulnerability to job loss and relationship breakdown, and cultural expectations preventing distress expression until it reaches crisis point.