Male Irritable Syndrome ?

[Triana]

http://www.enotalone.com/article/4840.html

Q: How can you tell if a man has Irritable Male Syndrome?
A: You ask him to pass the salt, and he yells, "Take, take, take—that's all you ever do!"

These little zingers, which appeared in London's Daily Mirror, illustrate some important aspects of what many men, and those who must live with them, are experiencing these days. First, it seems that stress has become a normal part of modern life and more men are taking out their frustrations on those who are closest to them. Second, men's irritability, blame, and anger seem excessive and more explosive. Ask a guy an innocent question, and he jumps down your throat. What's going on here?

For some men, this kind of irritability has come on slowly over a period of months and years. For others, it seems like someone has flipped a switch and Mr. Nice has turned into Mr. Mean. "God, it's like he's hormonal," one woman told me. When I told her she wasn't too far from the truth, she snapped back, "I knew it."

Since I began my study of this subject, I have received thousands of letters from men and women describing their experiences. What follows are typical of what women and men have told me.

[NMMNG]

1. Actually,

In men irritability/anger can actually be a cover symptom of depression, particularly if it is of extended duration. Since some consider it "unacceptable" for men to show sadness, cry and otherwise exhibit the classic signs of depression they can manifest themselves as frustration/anger/irritability. Consultation with a mental health professional may be helpful.

[Orrex]

2. That sounds right to me

And I'd go even a little further and say that the "hypersensitivity," "anxiety," "frustration," and "anger" identified with "Irritable Male Syndrome" are common stress responses in both women and men. And it a substance abuse problem is thrown into the mix, these four indicators become all the more pronounced.

I wonder if the increase in frequency of "Irritable Male Syndrome" is actual or perceived; I suspect that similar behaviors have been common in men for many decades, though clearly they weren't discussed as a syndrome (or at all, really).

[NMMNG]

4. Substance abuse is common with many mental health problems

It's used as a form of "self-medication" to help calm the symptoms the person is suffering, and can become a disorder in and of itself in time.


I wonder if the increase in frequency of "Irritable Male Syndrome" is actual or perceived; I suspect that similar behaviors have been common in men for many decades, though clearly they weren't discussed as a syndrome (or at all, really).

Good question. I can't help but wonder if it's just another effect of our quest to pathologize and label everything.

[Triana]

3. I think this "syndrome" is an excuse for them...

...to be controlling, angry and abusive. But I do agree with you. Consultation with a mental health professional may be helpful - whatever the cause.

[Morgana LaFey]

5. well, I was just going to say --

Who cares? I don't. This is the Women's Forum, not the Men's Forum.

But your point is an apt one.

But still: who cares?