HOW TO RECOGNIZE M-M IN YOURSELF —AND OTHERS: THE MENTAL (DOWNHILL) SLOPE

The crisis builds up with a series of emotional upsets based on irrational doubts that, depending on each man’s own reading of his life, spill out and apply equally to his home as well as work life. Serious or insubstantial, together they can rock a man’s foundation. They can puncture his ego and undermine self-confidence. Self-esteem can be shot and sometimes there is a profound sense of failure which more often than not is unfounded and not evident to the eyes of others. For many the over-riding symptom is a feeling that they are missing out on their fair share of the joys of life (seen chiefly as sex). Other symptoms may be present too, nagging. Gradually the pressures intensify with tension, ragged nerves, a temper at the end of a short fuse the probable result.

And while some have only a small random selection to conquer, others have what appears to them to be more than their fair share for an inordinately long period. How badly it strikes depends entirely on personal make-up and environment. It may only be short-lived but therapists believe, at its worst, the male-menopause can last five years.

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