The irritable male syndrome (IMS)

Irritable male syndrome is a collection of symptoms which are usually described as a state of hypersensitivity, frustration, anxiety and anger that occurs in males. Jed Diamond, psychotherapist and bestselling author of Male Menopause and The Irritable Male Syndrome, believes this syndrome is associated with biochemical changes, hormonal fluctuations, stress and loss of male identity. Until recently, even the scientists believed that only women are victims to hormone fluctuations, but based on 40 years of Dr. Diamond’s clinical research as well as responses from 10,000 men, we now understand that even men can become angry and depressed due to the hormonal imbalance.

Symptoms of irritable male syndrome

Irritability and mood swings in men are primary symptoms of andropause. The hormonal imbalance, responsible for the symptoms of irritable male syndrome, usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. The symptoms normally occur as a result of high stress cortisol levels and low testosterone levels and manifest as anger, sarcasm, tension, argumentative behavior, frustration and anxiousness. Some men may seem to be extremely impatient and demanding, sad, unloving, dissatisfied but sometimes even defensive and hostile.

Irritable male syndrome and depression

Until recently, it was believed that women suffered from depression at twice the rate as males. However, Dr. Diamond’s research has revealed that men often experience depression in different ways than women. The irritability, anger and hypersensitivity are, actually, male aspects of depression, caused by too much stress. In modern times, humans are exposed to stress from many different sources. Most of the stress is not from the physical sources, as it was in the past. The traditional male responses to stressful situations simply don't work anymore. The fight or flight response is inapplicable to most of the modern stressors. For example, if the stress comes from too much traffic on the streets, the traditional male response cannot work. The male can’t fight and the stress has to be taken out somewhere else. Unfortunately, the stress most commonly is taken out on the partners that they are in relationship with.

Treatment for Irritable Male Syndrome

Irritable male syndrome is often characterized by denial and fault everywhere except themselves. Moreover, hormonal problems are usually viewed as a female thing. Male hormone testing is the first step needed to determine patient’s hormonal levels and tailor a proper therapy. Bioidentical hormone therapy, based on natural or bioidentical hormones versus bio-similar or synthetic hormones, combined with a customized nutrition and fitness program can be the perfect solution for many men.