PTSD in Men: Recognizing the Hidden Struggles
June is both Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and National PTSD Awareness Month, making it a great time to focus on the mental health challenges men face, especially PTSD. This blog explains what PTSD is, how it shows up differently in men, and the cultural stigma in Malaysia that often stops Malaysian men with PTSD from asking for help. By understanding these issues and encouraging honest conversations, we can help more men get the support they need to heal.


June is officially recognized as both Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and National PTSD Awareness Month. This makes it a perfect time for raising awareness about the mental health challenges men face, including PTSD, a condition that affects many men but is often misunderstood or overlooked. One of the biggest barriers for men getting the appropriate support for PSTD, especially here in Malaysia, is stigma, and by encouraging open conversations, we can break down these barriers and help more men find the care they need.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. This could be something like a serious accident, natural disaster, violent attack, or sudden loss of a loved one. PTSD is more than just feeling upset after a difficult experience; it involves ongoing and intense reactions that can seriously affect daily life.
People with PTSD often find themselves reliving the trauma over and over through unwanted memories, flashbacks (where it feels like the event is happening again), or nightmares. These memories can be so vivid and distressing that they cause strong emotional or physical reactions, like a racing heart or sweating. At the same time, many also try to avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma, whether it’s places, people, or even certain thoughts.
PTSD can also change how a person thinks and feels. They might feel numb, disconnected from others, or have negative thoughts about themselves or the world, such as feeling guilty or believing they can’t trust anyone. It’s common to feel constantly “on edge,” with trouble sleeping, being easily startled, or having angry outbursts.
These symptoms usually start within a few months after the trauma but can sometimes appear years later. When these reactions last more than a month and interfere with work, relationships, or daily activities, it may be PTSD.
PTSD in Men: What Makes It Unique?
PTSD is a mental health condition that can affect anyone, but there are some important differences in how it appears in men. Research shows that while men are actually more likely than women to experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, the lifetime rate of PTSD in men is about half that of women: between 3% and 13%.
Even when men and women go through the same kind of traumatic event, men are less likely to develop PTSD and tend to report less severe symptoms. Researchers believe this is due to a mix of biological factors, psychological differences, and social or cultural influences. Social expectations for men to be “tough” or not show vulnerability can also make men less likely to report their symptoms or seek help, which might mean some cases go unrecognized.
How PTSD Manifests in Men
Symptoms in men often look a bit different and are more likely to show up as actions or behaviors. They commonly include:
Irritability and anger: Frequent angry outbursts or aggressive behavior, especially in stressful situations or close relationships.
Reckless or self-destructive behavior: Taking risks, acting impulsively, or turning to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope.
Emotional numbness: Feeling disconnected from emotions or from people around them.
Always feeling on edge: Trouble sleeping, being easily startled, and feeling constantly alert.
Withdrawing from others: Pulling away from friends and family, leading to isolation.
PTSD in men is also often linked with other mental health challenges. Up to 88% of men with PTSD have at least one other mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, or substance use problems.
Recognizing these patterns is important, especially in cultures where men may feel pressure to hide their struggles. Understanding how PTSD shows up in men can help more men get the support they need.
Common Causes of PTSD Among Malaysian Men
Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are one of the most common causes of PTSD among Malaysian men. A study conducted at a Malaysian university hospital involving mostly male MVA victims found that 7.4% developed PTSD following their accident. Another Malaysian study involving trauma patients reported that 71.7% were victims of MVAs, with other causes of trauma including occupational accidents, falls, domestic violence, and sports injuries. Among them, about 12.9% showed symptoms of PTSD following their trauma. Many of these patients had fractures and experienced severe pain at the scene of the accident.
Other causes of PTSD among Malaysian men extend beyond physical trauma. Prolonged exposure to high-stress jobs, such as emergency services or military roles, can lead to PTSD. Psychological stressors like chronic harassment, bullying or emotional abuse also play significant roles. Additionally, major life events like the sudden loss of a loved one, serious illness, or witnessing distressing events, even indirectly, can trigger PTSD. Sexual abuse, though often underreported due to cultural stigma, is also an important cause of PTSD in men.
PTSD for Men in Malaysia: Why Malaysian Men May Struggle More
In Malaysia, cultural expectations often encourage men to be tough and independent, even in the face of trauma. From a young age, many boys are taught to hide their emotions and handle things themselves, which can make it difficult for men to talk about their feelings or seek help when struggling with PTSD. This silence can make PTSD symptoms worse; men may become more irritable, angry, or emotionally numb, and some turn to alcohol or risky behaviors to cope. They are also much more likely to face other mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. As a result, suffering in silence can seriously impact relationships, work, and overall wellbeing. Therefore, recognizing these cultural barriers is crucial, and by challenging the idea that seeking help is a weakness, we can help more Malaysian men get the support they need for recovery from PTSD.
Getting Help and Support
If you or a male loved one is experiencing symptoms of PTSD, seeking effective treatments, such as therapy, can help manage symptoms and support recovery. With the right care, many people with PTSD are able to heal and lead fulfilling lives.
Remember, PTSD is not a sign of weakness. Recognizing symptoms early and reaching out is in fact a sign of strength. If you have experienced trauma, you are not alone; help is available, and support can lead to a better quality of life. Contact us today to take the first step toward healing.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Bahari, R., Mohamad Alwi, M. N., Ahmad, M. R., & Mohd Saiboon, I. (2017). Incidence and demographical characteristics of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder due to motor vehicle accidents. Malaysian Family Physician: The Official Journal of the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia, 12(3), 2–7.
Langeland, W., & Olff, M. (2024). Sex and gender in psychotrauma research. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 15(1).
Verma, A., Malik, P., & Panghal, P. (2024). Unravelling the cause and consequences of post traumatic stress disorder: A comprehensive review. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 6(4).
Zairul-Nizam, Z. F., Abdul Kadir, M. A., & Mohd Yusoff, N. (2024). Prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among orthopaedic post-trauma patients in Malaysia. Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal, 18(2).