DR. JOHN'S CASE NOTES : THE IRRITABLE MALE SYNDROME

The Irritable Male Syndrome is medical condition I should have talked about months ago, since it is so prevalent in Bridge Clubs around the world. This distressing disorder is easily recognised given a whole wadge of emotional and behavioural symptoms, which cannot be mistaken for anything else. These include hypersensitivity, anxiety, frustration and anger, which all occur in males when their hormonal levels are adversely affected by stress. Then, in no time at all we see acute IMS sufferers turning into sarcastic, impatient hostile, unloving, withdrawn, tense, demanding, argumentative, defensive, dissatisfied and sad, toe-rags.

Indeed, whenever men put themselves under intense pressure, stress levels rise while testosterone levels suddenly plummet. Apparently, it is the elevated levels of stress hormones like cortisol , which seriously impair the testosterone levels in the blood. Strangely, the condition was first noted in sheep by a Welsh hill farmer," Hump " Ramsbottom who, by inserting drugs into male sheep to reduce their testosterone levels, was taken back by the sudden onset of ovine irritability and aggression.

A recent book by Hugo N. F. Hoff, " The Irritable Male Syndrome : What The Blue Blazes Is This All About ? " , is one of the first to be published on this subject. Basing all his research on his observations of male bridge players in action, he tried in vain to increase the awareness of this condition to those concerned. Despite all his begging and pleading to get them to seek treatment it was a lost cause, such was their determination to remain forever in self-denial.

However, the main problem for psycho-analysts is that the real occurrence of this syndrome may not be apparent until it is too late. Nearly all bridge players fail to identify the onset of any emotional symptoms they, or others, are experiencing. Yet surveys show that vast percentages of these irritable men rant on constantly about their persistent stress (76%), a strong fear of failure (65%), and intense dissatisfaction with their partners (80%).

The condition can be treated, but this involves involves drastic lifestyle changes.....the first of which is to give up bridge !