The Irritable Male Syndrome: Managing the Four Key Causes of Depression and Aggression - Hardcover

Diamond, Jed

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1579547982 ISBN 13: 9781579547981

Publisher: Rodale Books, 2004

Synopsis

From the best-selling author of Male Menopause comes another life-transforming book for men-and the women who love them-on overcoming the mood and behavior changes caused by fluctuating male hormones

It turns out that it's not only women who suffer from hormone related irritability. Depression, anger, fatigue, moodiness, anxiety, lethargy, low libido, and confusion are just some of the symptoms of a recently identified condition that affects men.

IMS (Irritable Male Syndrome) is in some ways similar to male menopause, but it can affect men of all ages. What often triggers IMS is acute or chronic stress. Focusing on two crucial times of life when male hormones are shifting rapidly-adolescence/young adulthood and midlife-Jed Diamond reports on the latest research from international experts on men's health and hormones; describes in detail the symptoms of IMS; explains how the volatile mood swings of the syndrome can wreak havoc with a man's closest relationships and provides advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating IMS.

Just as when he began researching his landmark book on male menopause, Jed Diamond is at the forefront of this controversial subject. He offers readers the most comprehensive, insightful coverage of IMS-and the practical wisdom he imparts will help millions.

About this title

About the Author:

Jed Diamond, a licensed psychotherapist for 38 years and director of the health program MenAlive, is the author of seven books, including the international bestseller Male Menopause. He is on the board of advisors of the Men's Health Network and also serves on the international scientific board of the World Congress on Men's Health. He lives in Willits, California.

From Publishers Weekly:

Psychotherapist Diamond (Male Menopause) focuses on how hormonal changes and chronic stress can trigger "irritable male syndrome: a state of hypersensitivity, anxiety, frustration, and anger." Drawing a parallel to premenstrual syndrome, he explains how IMS can result at any time of life, but primarily in puberty and midlife, from shifting testosterone levels; he also shows how it has roots in the changing role of women, workplace situations, increased stress and interpersonal relationships, which threaten male self-esteem. The disorder's earliest symptom is irritability, which untreated can spiral into anger, violence or depression. Diamond focuses on the syndrome's blaming behavior, often directed toward women. "We can have an almost irrational need to break away and be free.... We often see our partners as the ones who are holding us back," he writes. So Diamond includes diagnostic questionnaires and counsels men on how to recognize and handle these difficult feelings. He also offers specific steps for others to help an IMS man in denial, plus what to do if either partner wants to leave the relationship. While some advice is familiar—eat right, exercise, consider taking medications, nurture your spiritual side—Diamond's insights may help men most by giving them context and explanation for what they're feeling physically and emotionally, thus helping IMS men to take steps to feel better about themselves.
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About this edition

• Publisher: Rodale Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1579547982
• ISBN 13: 9781579547981
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 291