Men, like women also experience a fluctuation in mood changes. This can bring about feelings of irritability and mood swings that can affect personal, social and professional relationships. Irritability may just be a short-term problem that is the result of a stressful situation, or it could be a more complex problem that needs professional care. If you feel like you can't handle your irritability on your own, you may have to seek the help of your primary care physician or a therapist to get treatment.
Causes
The U.S. National Library of Medicine explains there is a condition called Irritable Male Syndrome. This condition is caused by a hormonal imbalance of high cortisol levels and low testosterone levels. It is more frequent and more intense than just a normal case of irritability. It mainly affects men between their 40s and 60s. This condition needs to be diagnosed by a licensed physician. Other causes of irritability can be stressful situations at work, relationship issues and financial constraints.
Signs
Some signs of Irritable Male Syndrome include sadness, withdrawal, frustration, sarcasm, muscle tightness and argumentative behavior, states the Body Logic MD website. These signs and symptoms tend to be more regular than common irritability and tend to have no real reason for their cause. If you are in a stressful situation or have something that is making you unhappy, you may showcase more common irritability symptoms, such as snapping back at someone, agitation, yelling or blaming others.
Problems
Irritability in men can lead to problems in relationships. This starts with communication. If you are irritable toward anyone, including coworkers or business associates, you can deteriorate relationships and trust can be broken. Being irritable can make someone else go on the defense and make completing a task difficult. The Good Therapy website explains that irritability can also interfere with your well-being when you can't get enough sleep or you have anxiety issues relating to your irritability.
Solutions
The Health Communities website explains that testosterone production can decline as a male ages. This can cause frequent bouts of irritability. You can receive treatment through your primary care physician to get testosterone shots through hormone replacement therapy. If your condition is not medically related to testosterone problems, you may need to see a behavioral therapist. She will help you work through stress related issues and determine if your irritability stems from depression.
Outcome
Once you realize that you have a problem with irritability, you can begin to get help and avoid the destruction that irritability can cause. In men, you can learn to control your anger and your irritation with your wife and your children. Everyday things that used to get under your skin can be controlled through self-help and coping skills or with the help of medication. When you have your emotions under control, you can begin to function in relationships and contribute to society as a friendly, approachable person.
