Yahoo – Ryan Reynolds opening up about his anxiety has the power to help millions of sufferers

Another celebrity made news this week disclosing his struggle with anxiety. Ryan Reynolds, star of popular series Deadpool, opened up in a New York Times interview about his longtime struggle with anxiety. Not just the general angsty kind, but the intense dread and nausea he feels before every single talk show appearance. In so doing, the sexiest man alive in 2010 has also just become even cooler.

In sharing his experience with mental health, he becomes a powerful mental health advocate for the millions of people who suffer too, especially men. Yahoo asked me to weigh in on why this is so important, and I was happy to help. To read the full article, click HERE.

Both men and women struggle with anxiety disorders, but it can sometimes be more difficult for men to admit they need help and seek it, licensed clinical psychologist Alicia H. Clark, PsyD, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “That’s true for probably all mental health issues,” she says. “While I do see men, I have much more women in my caseload. That’s pretty typical.”

Clark says it probably comes down to a few things: Men, in general, don’t tend to be as willing to see doctors as women, and the stigma of mental health issues and seeking treatment can be stronger for men.

If you struggle with anxiety, seek help and don’t wait. “Anxiety can escalate and stay escalated if you don’t know how to de-escalate it,” Clark says. That can lead to health issues like heart problems, nervous system issues, and headaches, to name a few, Mayer says.

Clark applauds Reynolds for speaking out about his anxiety. “One more celebrity out there being honest helps so many other people be brave,” she says.