Anxiety Counselling for Men in Sydney: Understanding Its Causes, Effects, and Treatment

Living with anxiety can feel like a constant uphill battle—one that often goes unseen by those around you. It’s more than just stress or worry; it’s a deeply personal struggle that affects every aspect of your life. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges affecting men today, but it doesn’t have to define you. At Counselling and Psychotherapy Services for Men in Sydney, led by Christian Acuña, we deeply understand how anxiety can infiltrate every corner of a man’s life—from relationships and work to physical health and self-esteem. Christian himself has experienced his share of anxiety and knows firsthand how it can feel—not just as thoughts or emotions but as a deeply physical experience.

Anxiety isn’t always just about overthinking or misinterpreting reality; it often manifests in the body. Racing heartbeats, tense muscles, nausea, or that gut-wrenching tightness in the chest—these physical sensations can feel overwhelming, even when you’re not consciously “thinking” anxious thoughts. Sometimes, anxiety can be purely physical, a lingering reminder of how the brain and body are interconnected in survival mode.

Emerging research supports this connection. Studies in neuroscience and psychology reveal that anxiety can stem from the brain being “stuck” in survival mode, often rooted in unresolved trauma or chronic stress. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that individuals with heightened levels of childhood trauma often have an overactive amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for the fight-or-flight response. This hyperactivity creates a heightened state of vigilance, where the body reacts as though it’s under constant threat, even in safe situations (Journal of Affective Disorders, 2020).

Similarly, research from Frontiers in Psychiatry highlights how anxiety can manifest in physical ways, such as chronic tension, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances, due to the body’s prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2019).

An additional study from the American Journal of Psychiatry emphasises that anxiety-related physical symptoms—such as muscle tension, fatigue, and dizziness—are often linked to dysregulation in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This axis plays a key role in the body’s stress response, and prolonged activation can make it difficult for the brain to “turn off” survival mode, resulting in chronic anxiety symptoms (American Journal of Psychiatry, 2021).

At Counselling and Psychotherapy Services for Men, we take these physical experiences seriously. Anxiety isn’t just “in your head”—it’s in your entire being. By understanding how anxiety impacts both the mind and body, we can help you break free from its grip. This blog explores what anxiety is, where it comes from, how it uniquely affects men, and offers practical strategies to regain control and restore balance to your life.

Understanding Anxiety: A Guide for Men

Anxiety is more than just a fleeting sense of worry or stress; it’s a multifaceted response that engages both the brain and body. For men, anxiety often manifests as a persistent state of unease, creating a disconnect from one’s usual sense of control and well-being. While occasional anxiety can be a natural reaction to challenges, chronic anxiety develops when this response becomes overly sensitive, disproportionate, or persistent.

Men experiencing anxiety may find it creeping into unexpected areas of life—struggling to relax after work, feeling restless despite exhaustion, or sensing that something is perpetually “off.” Anxiety counselling for men addresses these pervasive challenges, helping to identify the root causes and provide tools for managing this cycle of distress. Whether it’s tied to specific events or emerges without clear triggers, anxiety can feel like a constant uphill battle that affects every aspect of life, from relationships to physical health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Counselling for Men

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How Anxiety Affects the Brain and Body

Anxiety originates in the brain’s amygdala, the centre for processing threats and emotions. When the amygdala perceives danger—whether real or imagined—it activates a cascade of physiological responses, such as increased heart rate and heightened alertness, designed to protect us. However, when the brain remains “stuck” in this survival mode due to unresolved stress, trauma, or environmental factors, these responses can become chronic, leading to the persistent symptoms of anxiety.

Research highlights that childhood trauma and long-term stressors can rewire the brain to stay hyper-vigilant, making men more susceptible to anxiety disorders. For example, a study in Psychiatry Research (2020) found that men with a history of adverse childhood experiences are significantly more likely to experience anxiety symptoms later in life. This highlights the link between past experiences and present-day challenges, especially when those early stressors remain unaddressed.

Studies have also noted the importance of therapies that engage both the mind and body to rewire these responses effectively. For instance, body-based therapies like Somatic Experiencing and Sensory Motor Psychotherapy can help men reconnect with their physical sensations and learn to release stored tension. These approaches align with trauma-informed care, which considers how unresolved wounds contribute to current behaviours and triggers.

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Recognising the Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety manifests differently for everyone, but for men, it often takes the form of physical discomfort or behavioural changes rather than overt emotional distress. Common symptoms include:

Physical Symptoms:

• Muscle Tension: Persistent tightness in the shoulders, back, or neck.
• Digestive Issues: Nausea, upset stomach, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Heart Palpitations: A racing or pounding heart, even when at rest.
• Sleep Disruptions: Trouble falling asleep, waking frequently, or waking unrefreshed.
• Fatigue: Feeling physically drained despite having no apparent reason.

Cognitive Symptoms:

• Overthinking: Constantly replaying situations or imagining worst-case scenarios.
• Trouble Focusing: Difficulty completing tasks or concentrating on conversations.
• Self-Doubt: Questioning decisions or feeling unsure about the future.

Emotional Symptoms:

• Irritability: Feeling easily annoyed or on edge.
• Restlessness: An inability to relax, often described as “feeling keyed up.”
• Sense of Dread: A lingering worry that something bad is about to happen.

Many men may not associate these symptoms with anxiety because they don’t always experience the “classic” feelings of fear or worry. Instead, anxiety can feel like a nagging sense of unease or a body that won’t cooperate—tight chest, clenched jaw, or racing heart—without an obvious explanation.

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How Counselling Can Help

At Counselling and Psychotherapy Services for Men, we use evidence-based approaches tailored to men’s unique needs. These include:

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Rooted in the work of Dr. Aaron Beck, CBT is a structured approach that helps clients reframe negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms. By identifying unhelpful beliefs and replacing them with constructive alternatives, clients can create new pathways for emotional resilience.
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a scientifically validated method for processing trauma. By using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, EMDR helps rewire the brain’s emotional response to distressing memories, reducing their emotional intensity and enabling clients to move forward.
• Mindfulness-Based Techniques: Inspired by the teachings of Jon Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness helps clients stay grounded in the present moment, cultivating emotional regulation and resilience. By training the brain to focus on “what is” rather than “what if,” mindfulness reduces the tendency to catastrophise and promotes inner peace.
• Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Drawing on the work of Dr. Peter Levine and Pat Ogden, these body-based therapies focus on the physiological impacts of trauma. By working with the body’s innate ability to heal and discharge stuck survival energy, clients can reconnect with a sense of safety and stability.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS): Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS helps clients explore the “parts” of themselves that may be in conflict. For example, anxiety may stem from an inner protector that shields unresolved wounds. This approach fosters self-compassion and integration of fragmented parts of the self.
• Compassionate Inquiry: Based on the pioneering work of Dr. Gabor Maté, this approach helps clients understand why certain comments, events, or interactions may trigger strong emotional reactions. Christian often asks, “Why is this coming up for you now?” or “What about this moment feels familiar?” These questions guide clients toward uncovering and addressing the unresolved trauma underlying their responses.

Christian Acuña has successfully helped men from diverse backgrounds overcome anxiety by addressing its root causes. Through counselling, clients gain the tools to break free from survival mode, improve self-confidence, and achieve lasting peace of mind. Christian’s trauma-informed approach helps clients not only work on behaviours but also explore their core wounds, asking, “Why is this coming up for you now?” He gently examines triggers and unresolved traumas that may cause resistance or resentment, creating a safe space for deep healing.

By engaging in counselling, men can retrain their brains, rewire survival responses, and reclaim their lives. Whether through EMDR, somatic therapies, or compassionate inquiry, the process empowers men to move beyond anxiety and build a foundation of resilience and confidence.