Male Menopause/Irritable Male Syndrome

An interview with Dr. Jed Diamond

An interview with Jed Diamond

Dr. Fred: Jed, your book, Irritable Male Syndrome opened up my eyes to what I'm
dealing with as a man. I can identify with the "irritable male" and have recommended the
book to many of my clients and associates.
What had you choose males as a focus for your writing and clinical practice?

When I began working in the field 44 years ago, most of the focus was on women. I felt
the field of men's health needed a champion.

Dr. Fred: Especially as they relate to the Third Age (45 to 75 years of age), would you
summarize what are the key issues that men are dealing with?

There are issues that both men and women must deal with as we age: Aches and pains,
illness, dying parents, young-adult children, etc. But there are also issues that are unique
to men such as Male Menopause, Irritable Male Syndrome, and male-type depression that
I discuss in my books.

Dr. Fred: Much of what we offer our readers has to do with debunking the myth of
midlife crisis and relating to midlife as a transition. What is your view on this subject?

I see mid-life, in many ways, as similar to adolescence. At both times of life we are
making a major transition. In the case of adolescence, we are moving from childhood to
first adulthood. In the case of mid-life, we are making the transition from first adulthood
to what I call superadulthood. For the first time we have a chance to be truly who we
were meant to be.
Dr. Fred: In the products and services you offer, you write on depression, menopause
and irritable male syndrome. How are they related?

I think of these issues as three separate but overlapping circles. Male Menopause affects
all men, sometime between the ages of 40 and 55, though it can start as early as 35 or as
late as 65. Irritable male syndrome affects a smaller, but still significant number of men
(perhaps 60-80%). Male-type depression affects a smaller number of men. We've
assumed that women suffer depression at rates that are twice the rate of men. But my
research shows that many depressed men are underdiagnosed and undertreated becasue
we use the wrong criteria for diagnosis.

Dr. Fred: How would you distinguish or differentiate (key aspects) Irritable Male
Syndrome from similar syndromes?

Irritable Male syndrome has four key causes: Hormonal fluctuations, changes in brain
chemistry, increased stress, and changes in male identity. It takes a skilled practitioner to
distinguish IMS from such things as depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD and
other disorders.

Dr. Fred: You say that "IMS is ultimately about violence." Would you elaborate on this?

We live in a world that is violent. We see it expressed in childhood where children are
mistreated (including being circumcised, which I believe is a form of child sexual abuse).
As we get older this destructive childrearing expresses itself in irritability,
hypersensitivity, anger, and rage. When it is turned inward it can lead to suicide. When
turned outward it can lead to violence and war.

Dr. Fred: What is it about men that has them be susceptible to IMS?

Some is our inherent hormone complement. Having testosterone makes us vulnerable to

aggression. Many are familiar with the rage that results from taking anabolic steroids (so
called 'roid rage). We would see that in football players or weightlifters. Though it is a
problem, it has really been overhyped. The real problem it turns out is not too much
testosterone, but too little. When males lose their testosterone, they become more restless,
irritable, and angry. Changing exercise patterns and dietary changes can be helpful. So
can testosterone supplementation for some men.

Dr. Fred: Why is it important for women to be aware of this syndrome?

IMS may be a problem going on within men, but it often impacts women. Many women
have told me that their husbands irritability, anger, and withdrawal is undermining their
marriage and causing problems within the family. They seek help for the man, but also
for themselves.

Dr. Fred: In our culture, men tend to have a "lone ranger" mentality. They're not overly
communicative and often in denial about issues like depression and IMS. What can their
female partners do that would assist their male partners in coming to terms with these
issues?

Men are often afraid to seek help. They see it has unmanly. This includes even going in
for their annual medical checkup. As one male client put it. "I go in for my annual check-
up maybe once in 10 years." Women are often the ones who gently, but firmly tell the
man that he needs to get checked out. I have a whole program I've developed for women
on how to help themselves while they are helping the man in their lives.

Dr. Fred: What in your view would most contribute to Third Agers experiencing
authentic happiness?

We need to accept who we are and that includes the different changes that men and
women experience as we age. Becoming an older man poses different challenges than
becoming an older woman. We can learn a great deal from each other. But to do that we
have to be willing to let go of "right" and "wrong" and seek ways to communicate and
heal.

Dr. Fred: What new projects are you working on?

I'm working on two new books: "Mr. Mean: Saving Yourself and Rescuing Your
Relationship from the Irritable Male Syndrome" as well as "7 Secrets for Surviving and
Thriving When Civilization Sinks."

People can receive my free e-newsletter and read my latest articles by going to my
website .

Dr. Fred on Male "Midlife Crisis"

For more information about Dr. Jed: Contact me at Jed@MenAlive.com