What Causes Irritability in Men?

Irritability in men is disruptive to your family and can cause strain within your personal relationship. This irritability may also be a sign of a far more serious problem that may require medical supervision such as a harmful addiction, poor sleeping problems and illness. Proper diet and regular exercise may not be enough to eliminate his irritations, but they are a good start.

Low Serotonin Levels

• Low serotonin levels in individuals can contribute to feelings of anxiety and irritability. Within men, who regularly substitute meat for vegetable options in their diet, natural serotonin secretion within the brain is disrupted by high protein levels and various animal hormones, writes Jed Diamond in a July 2009 article for the website Third Age. Take a close look at his normal diet choices, including chosen snacks and food items during meals in which he returns to for a second helping. A change in his diet can yield more stable moods and fewer outbursts of irritability, but this means including more vegetable options in place of his normal meat choices.

Addiction

• Substance addition plays a heavy role in men's moods, especially if they are denied access to their chosen substance. These substances include common elements such as cigarettes, alcohol and even coffee. If he is trying to decrease his consumption of these substances, or remove them from his daily life, you may notice a severe increase in aggression and irritability during his withdrawal process. Additionally, social events that do not include his substance may heighten his irritability, such as non-smoking restaurants or family evenings where drinking is not appropriate.

Sleep Habits

• Sleep disorders have a negative impact on individual's emotions and feelings of stability. Prolonged sleep disorders only heighten these negative impacts and exacerbate his irritability. Common sleep disorders include sleep apnea, insomnia or restless sleep due to feelings of stress, too heavy of a focus on work or instability in the family. Sleep disorders should not be taken lightly; if you notice that he seems unrested after a long night of sleep, exhibits feelings of confusion or constantly complains about being tired, make an appointment with a sleep specialist in your town who can help him overcome his sleep problems.

Illness

• Health problems contribute to feelings of insecurity and restrict his normal daily functions such as work, exercise or his ability to get out of bed. These feelings of restriction often show themselves in his mood alterations and irritability. These conditions can be as simple as a bad cold, the flu or regular migraines. Additionally, more serious medical conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and thyroid disease can exhibit irritability as part of their long list of symptoms.