The Irritable Male Syndrome: Understanding and Managing the 4 Key Causes of Depression and Aggression

Book Description

A hopeful book that offers psychological and spiritual wisdom to those men who are struggling with anger, depression, and the changing emotional realities of their lives.Fredric E. Rabinowitz, PhD, coauthor of Men and Depression and Man Alive From the bestselling author of Male Menopause comes another life-transforming book for menand the women who love themon overcoming the mood and behavior changes caused by fluctuating male hormones. Jed Diamond presents the most up-to-date research from around the globe to reveal why so many normally loving husbands, fathers, and sons suddenly become irritable, angry, and withdrawn. He identifies the four common triggers of Irritable Male Syndrome (IMS)fluctuating testosterone levels, biochemical imbalances, loss of masculine identity, and stressand then shows how best to treat this condition that, research shows, affects up to 30 percent of males, especially those in adolescence and midlife. Just as PMS is now acknowledged to be a problem in women, IMSthanks to this bookis gaining recognition as an affliction among men. By revolutionizing the detection, understanding, and treatment of this condition, The Irritable Male Syndrome is bringing relief and happiness back to the lives of millions. A pioneering breakthrough!Stephen Johnson, PhD, executive director of The Mens Center of Los Angeles

Customer Reviews:

This describes my husband 100%.......2007-10-07

This is one of the few books of this nature where I have read every single page. It describes my husband to a T-for-testoterone. While my husband insists that there is nothing wrong with him, and the rest of the world is against him, I have been able to encourage some of the diet changes: a multi-vitamin (for zinc and B-vitamins), and cutting back on artificial sweetener.

When I sent an e-mail to the author, I did get back a thoughtful referral, although the referrals are to expensive places that are out of state. But it's helpful to have this book, because I can cite it to health and mental health care professionals, "see, what he does is on page 42, and 43, and 44 ..."

I agree that it does go on and on before getting to the helpful information in the back third of the book. My guess is the publisher wanted to get it up to a certain page count. I get the picture with one or two examples, but I would rather have more information, than less information. So this is not a major detraction, and the book was VERY helpful in articulating what I see to be true.

Now if I can only figure out how to get my husband to agree to get help. I am not ready to issue a divorce ultimatum, but if the angry blowups continue, what else can I do? At least I'll have some informed suggestions to make when the time comes.

An Absolute Eye-Opener!!!!!!.......2006-11-01

This book has effected the way I think about men, women, relationships, myself, and the people close to me. Jed Diamond has incorportated medical and psychological research, the experiences of his patients (male and female), and his own experiences as therapist and husband into an insightful book that is not only informative, but hopeful and humorous at times.

This book is written directly for men, but continually allows for the reader as a woman who is involved with a man that may be suffering from Irritable Male Syndrome. Several questionnaires included in the book are helpful with identification of Irritable Male Syndrome and depression, and the author covers physical, psychological, and societal causes. I particularly liked his take on changing gender roles and masculine identity.

I was a little disappointed in the organization of the book in that all of the information about what to do to help yourself (if you're a man) or help your partner (if you're a woman) is in the third and last section of the book. I would have preferred helpful information along the way according to the cases and ideas he presents. All in all, a great find!

Give me some real information.......2006-10-30

I decided not to buy this book, the single male reviewer called himself MY PEN IS HUGE and suggested the material was too lengthy and involved. What did he learn? Does someone with such a moniker want to learn anything? The other two reviews were from women, one a librarian who has some insight, but the other is a housewife who drives home a whining litany of tears and letters to her husband through this book. What did she learn? She gives no clue. I would love to just browse through books that can give me some insight into men's behavior and physiology with some male reviews, so I know I'm getting the goods. What I find is over fifty pages of books mislisted under male interests that include hundreds of books on female infertility and eating disorders. Can it be that a male interested in those subjects cannot find those topics under their proper divisional list? Perhaps that is understood here as a male characteristic of not being able to find his way and hating to ask directions. I hate wading through so many titles that are unnecessary to my search. I am a sixty year old female RN doing research.

Why Men Become Curmudgeons.......2006-07-24

AARP Bulletin tipped me off to this book. What an eye-opener! The author, a psychotherapist, observed that 80% of his patients in the 40 to 55 year range suffered from this irritability. He attributes it mostly to hormone changes, but also to their stage in life/career/etc.
He recommends that both partners learn to focus on the other's needs rather than on who's right and who's wrong.

35 Year Old Male Reads Book - Admits Issues .......2006-05-08

This is informative, full of facts and examples, but tends to run in circles and is too lengthy. Finishing the book helped me understand my emotions like the South Beach Diet helped me understand my appetite.

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

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Give It a Name: The Making of a Newly "Discovered" Condition
A Must-Read for Every Woman with a Middle Aged Husband
Thought-Provoking & valuable contribution
The Irritable Male Syndrome:
A second chance for a third age

The Irritable Male Syndrome: Managing the Four Key Causes of Depression and Aggression
Jed Diamond
Manufacturer: Rodale Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Mood Disorders | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1579547982
Release Date: 2004-09-23

Book Description

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 hormonesIt 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.

Customer Reviews:

Give It a Name: The Making of a Newly "Discovered" Condition.......2005-07-26

IMS: Irritable Male Syndrome. Yes, more and more men are suffering from this condition it seems. Diamond traces the supposed underlying causes, including shifts in hormonal levels that affect mood and outlook. It is of course not surprising that age, diet, and lifestyle play a significant role in hormonal levels. Nor is it surprising that sudden shifts of hormone levels take place during times of acute stress.

For years psychologists have done just this sort of thing, namely conduct massive, year-old studies, utilizing thousands of dollars of research and grant money to conclude such obvious truisms as finding a compatible lover is difficult (an actual study conducted over three years using college interns who did "field assignments" at local clubs and bars). Yes, and indeed, when you're under stress, your hormones, you know, fluctuate and change. What a surprise.

So now, Diamond has taken a truism and given it this name IMS. It almost sounds like some feminist joke. I can almost see Pfizer running adds on TV. You can envision this: a man in his late forties comes come from a hard days work, is greeted by his wife who yells downstairs to him if he picked up the loath of bread and mild for the kids. Little Tommy didn't put his toys away and they litter the entire living room floor. The family dog comes running over to him barking, the leach in his mouth. He hasn't taken off his coat yet, and his wet umbrella is making a mess on the carpet. Suddenly little Susie comes around the corner shouting "Daddy, daddy, Tommy hit me!" His mind is still reeling over the project he'll have to revise tonight (it means staying up late again because his boss decided to revise it-yet again). "What was that?" he asks himself. "Damn! I forgot the bread and milk" he says to himself. Then the wife yells down again: "I left the bills on the table for you! Make sure to take of them tonight!" The job! The kids! The dog! The bills! The bread! "Everyone!" he exclaims. "Quiet down and give me a minute here!" IMS: It can hit any man at any time. But thanks to the happy little pill, Mr. Smith can find a new peace of mind and renewed, claim outlook on life. (And Pfizer if you make such a pill and run this add, I want royalties or I'm suing.)

So men get irritable when stressed or overwhelmed. Gee, who'd have guess. The problem seem to worse as they age. Wow, who'd have thought that, eh? But now, you see, what are by any real measure the everyday trails and tribulations of life, which grow in intensity with age for no other reason that the burdens of greater responsibilities usually grows with age as well (the glorious payment for increased success), this all gets lumped under the title of IMS.

IMS now is anything from the blues to a low libido. "Oh, my Gawd!" a guy now thinks, "I'm just thirty and have the symptoms of IMS. What do I do?" It's ridiculous. Every man, everyone for that matter, regardless of age, experiences the blues, feels down, gets ticked off at life. As for midlife crisis, Diamond now assigns a change in supposed hormonal levels with IMS, and ludicrously argues that this is why there is a high correlation with what he terms an "irrational" need for men to bail out of marriages and run away.

But he has not shown that relationship, nor why the such a feeling is supposedly "irrational." He has conveniently left out a host of data showing that regardless of age, marriages tend to begin unraveling at around 16 years, the time it takes for a child to mature to adulthood. The so-called "seven year itch" is actually three for a man. Once a couple is past that, the next hump is 16 years. And this number persists across a range of ages. A man married at 18, say, is more likely to want to leave a marriage at around 35. A man that married at 25 is more likely to want to move on at around 42. A man married at 30, more likely to leave at around 50. Since most men get married at 30, it is not surprising that there are then a lot of men at around 50 wishing to exit a marriage. The reason is more rooted in biology than any thing else. Unlike a woman, that man is still reproductively viable. The origins of this trend then lie more in evolutionary psychology than in shifts in hormone levels.

Moreover, lots of men, stable in temperament and outlook often end their marriages just as abruptly out of a sense of malaise and tedium. They are not violent or aggressive or quarrelsome. Their decision was one not based on an emotional fit of irrational anger. In addition, however unintended, now creating this label known as IMS, there will be men that will find an excuse for otherwise inexcusable behaviors and conduct. "Judge, see I have IMS," I can easily envision the defense being made.

IMS has a catchy ring to it, but upon closer inspection it doesn't hold up well to scientific scrutiny, since it is really not advanced through science but rather trite observations and coinage of terms, relating to loosely related events that can have a multitude of different causes and not a necessarily universal underpinning to them.

A Must-Read for Every Woman with a Middle Aged Husband .......2005-04-13

After 25 years of a happy marriage, my husband became a stranger. He decided he was no longer in love with me, and wanted a life with more fun and passion. After I read Jed Diamond's book, I truly understood what my husband is and was going through. His book has given me more compassion and more hope for the future. This book is a road-map through a very distressing time of life. Whether you are the man or his wife- read this!

Thought-Provoking & valuable contribution.......2005-01-11

This is a thought-provoking book; I think Mr. Diamond has done us a service by popularizing the IMS (like Dr. Joyce Brothers popularized psychology and Gershom Scholem popularized Kabbalah). It must be pointed out that IMS is not a disease; it's a set of symptoms. There's a big difference. It's a bit like homelessness in that regard. Many diseases and problems present the same symptoms (watch "House" or "ER" or "Medical Investigation" sometime on TV). Thus, A Solution may either not exist (if there are many different causes (simultaneous or not) or may be hard to find. In this case, as with homelessness, the causes are many. The solutions, therefore, will vary depending upon the causes - not the symptoms. Significantly, Mr. Diamond includes chapters addressing many factors (causes) that create the IMS. He also presents "treatments" for those individual factors (e.g. the valuable Thought Record on page 217). This is excellent. He also provides considerable references in each chapter.

However, I think that he's overlooked a few things. Firstly, while he has Alice Miller as a reference, he doesn't include her theory of non-genetic inheritance in which learned behaviors are passed down over generations through children emulating parents when they become parents themselves (see "The Drama of the Gifted Child"). This, I believe, is a very significant factor in the IMS. Secondly, he does not include any Jungian typology in explaining human differences. For example, his intriguing analysis of the Beatles vs. the Rolling Stones seems to me a difference between E (extroverted behavior) vs. I (introverted). Indeed, the entire Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) may be a factor in IMS-especially considering the differences between spouses. Which leads into the questions: "what about those who do NOT develop IMS?" & "Why not?" It's hard to believe you could really understand IMS without understanding its opposite or control.
Furthermore, some of the factors seem a bit far-fetched. After taking a course on experimental design (a psychology course at George Washington University in DC), I am quite skeptical about scientific articles and research. We reviewed a great many technical, peer-reviewed journals-and found that a large proportion were invalid. Not necessarily wrong-invalid means that the conclusions were not fully justified by the study.

Finally, since Mr. Diamond includes spirituality (which I admire him for doing), he might consider the development of egolessness a la Tibetan Buddhism. It seems to me that (not withstanding the chemical factors) that ego has a lot to do with IMS. I would suspect that IMS results from a combination of factors depending upon the susceptibility of the people involved and the interrelationship of their psychological propensities. I do think that Mr. Diamond's advice regarding male initiation and male groups has a great deal of potential to depotentiate IMS.

The Irritable Male Syndrome:.......2004-12-17

I had read several other publications by Jed Diamond and found them all to very succinct and helpful. For five years my wife has been complaining that my behavior was erratic, that I would fly off the handle at the slightest provocation and she wanted her husband back. From my vantage point I could come up with all kinds of "reasons" why it was all her fault. Reading the Irritable Male Syndrome was one of the most self revealing things I have ever done. There wasn't a page where I didn't clearly see myself and behaviors that I found appalling, yet, there I was naked as could be. It is must reading for any man entering middle age or any man who has been told he is "acting strangely" don't brush off those comments. Read this book if you read nothing else. You won't totally eliminate the problem overnight, but I can assure you, you won't be able to hide. And when you acknowledge what is going on - then you can really get down to the nitty-gritty work of getting back on track. I applaude Jed not only for writing the book, but for openly sharing his own experiences. Now, I don't feel as if I am some kind of freak. In those five years, I not only lost a job, but a career! I gave up a testicle for having torqued it doing an exercise routine, my mother died, my son moved to Atlanta, and we had been married 30+ years. GET THE BOOK IT IS THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU'LL EVER MAKE. Bob Bruce, Cleveland, Ohio

A second chance for a third age.......2004-11-23

Around me I've watched men over 50 suddenly dissolve marriages, maltreat their spouses, trade long-cherished values for whim, fall victim to depression, or withdraw into impenetrable cocoons. And I've wondered why. It was logical to blame and disrespect them for their transgressions ... their failings of character.

That's until a sensitive psychotherapist had the consciousness and conviction to search for the origin of these problems. Why have so many loving and giving women and children had to endure so much heartache from men in their lives? Is this just selfishness or immaturity?

Finally, Jed Diamond provides answers with an empowering revelation that IMS is both manageable and treatable. This gently fulfilling book brings empathy, perspective, solutions and solace to those who suffer and those who suffer the consequences.

His articulate and sensitive voice belongs in any home where people are trying to understand and manage the inevitable and sometimes unwholesome consequences of male passages through life stages. The author speaks to a new awareness akin to the discovery of PMS and the liberation that this insight has brought to women.

Men deserve, and with this book receive, their own measure of social sensitivity to the most challenging times of life. So much pathology can be eliminated in families and relationships when enough people read this book.

Jed Diamond has given many a second chance to make their "third-age" more productive, happier, and less fraught with tribulation. His book is a breakthrough that this aging country - which tends to marginalize and disenfranchise its aging males - sorely needs.

Break It Up: A Teacher's Guide to Managing Student Aggression

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Break It Up: A Teacher's Guide to Managing Student Aggression
Arnold P. Goldstaine
Manufacturer: Research Press (IL)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Pedagogy | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0878223517

El sindrome del hombre irritable / Irritable male syndrome: Como controlar las 4 causas que provocan la depresion y la violencia / Managing the 4 key causes of depression and Aggression

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El sindrome del hombre irritable / Irritable male syndrome: Como controlar las 4 causas que provocan la depresion y la violencia / Managing the 4 key causes of depression and Aggression
Jed Diamond
Manufacturer: Editorial Diana Sa
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Depression | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Aggression in the Workplace: Preventing and Managing High-Risk Behavior

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Aggression In The Workplace
An effective and important look at workpace behaviors.

Aggression in the Workplace: Preventing and Managing High-Risk Behavior
Marc McElhaney Ph.D.
Manufacturer: AuthorHouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Workplace | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Human Resources & Personnel Management | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1418461954

Book Description

Violence in the workplace has risen to "epidemic" proportions according to the Centers of Disease Control. In this volume, Dr. Marc McElhaney, a specialist in workplace violence, presents a comprehensive guide that no manager can do without when having to prepare for these potentially dangerous and often disruptive events. These are situations that often seem to explode in the workplace without warning, when in fact, they have often long incubated outside the manager's awareness. Utilizing a risk management approach that focuses on the process of how these situations evolve, as opposed to an oversimplified presentation of "profiles", will provide the manager with the needed tools to prevent and effectively intervene, to ensure a safe and cost-effective resolution. This book takes a comprehensive view that covers the broad range of aggression control strategies that an organization can utilize, from the fundamental building blocks of a primary prevention program to specific techniques that the manager can use to defuse and stabilize situations that are already threatening to explode. In between, the author presents a step-by-step description of the assessment and intervention process that should occur when and if an organization is faced with a potentially dangerous set of circumstances. Specific high-risk situations, such as employee termination, are discussed in detail, along with strategies that Dr. McElhaney has found to be particularly effective when having to stabilize, control and ultimately ensure a safe and long-lasting conclusion. Utilizing an approach that combines his knowledge and experience from the fields of threat assessment, risk management, conflict resolution and crisis negotiation, the author focuses on an approach that not only addresses the organization's immediate needs, but which also strives for a resolution and management plan that addresses long-term safety concerns.

Customer Reviews:

Aggression In The Workplace.......2004-12-30

In today's world, "workplace violence" has become more convoluted as to what that covers as well as what is expected of an employer to deal with and prevent such behaviors. While there can be no one best "program" or "check-off" list, there are established and mostly "common-sense" ways of addressing these behaviors. Dr. McElhaney has managed to simplify these explanations and has thus developed a critical workbook that explains appropriate ways to respond to inappropriate behaviors as well as prevent them.

He guides you effectively through pre-employment screening, training issues, grievances, disciplinary and termination procedures - thus making this a complete manual for managing the high-risk employee. Anyone who is worried about their liability in dealing with employees should make this a "must-buy" book for future reference and guidance on how to deal with all types of aggressive behavior in the workplace.

An effective and important look at workpace behaviors........2004-12-22

Dr. McElhaney has provide any employer with much more than a reference about worker behavior...this book is like a response guide and a valuable tool in understanding and effectively responding to potential workplace aggression.

I can not reccomend this book enough to you if you are an employer, or work in a role for an employer where you may interface with potentially aggressive workers.

Buy this book....you won't be sorry.

Aggression (Managing Common Problems with Elderly Confused People)

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Aggression (Managing Common Problems with Elderly Confused People)
Graham Stokes
Manufacturer: Speechmark Publishing Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Aging Parents | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

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Managing Aggression (Managing Care S.)
Stevie Holland , Jean Orr , and Caroline Soar
Manufacturer: South Bank University Distance Learning Centre
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

Social Work | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Nursing | Medicine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 094825050X

Managing Aggression (SOCIAL WORK SKILLS SERIES)

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Managing Aggression (SOCIAL WORK SKILLS SERIES)
Ray Braithwaite
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Workplace | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Vocational Guidance | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Violence in Society | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0415243793

Book Description

How to manage and respond to escalating violence towards staff working in the human services is a pressing professional problem. This workbook:

Empowers individuals by providing a range of useful skills that can help in managing aggression
Enables staff placed in difficult or dangerous situations by their employers to address the issue effectively
Clarifies the responsibilities of the manager in ensuring staff are safeguarded
Builds confidence in staff and their managers by offering workable solutions to reducing levels of aggression in the workplace.

Highlighting examples of good and bad practice, Managing Aggression is a book for anyone who has ever faced, or is likely to face, aggression at work.

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Managing Aggression and Violence

Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Social Psychology & Interactions | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Violence in Society | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Nursing | Medicine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0333622510

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Managing Violence and Aggression
Tom Mason , and Mark Chandley
Manufacturer: Churchill Livingstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0443059349

Book Description

An extremely practical book that offers methods of prevention and management strategies, and provides a comprehensive view of the problem of violence and aggression from patients/clients. This book, based on sound research, is cleverly structured so that the notion of violence becomes more explicit with each succeeding chapter, until finally the violent outburst arrives. This innovative book explores a topical, vital subject that appeals to a variety of nurses and other professionals.

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