Irritability and anger can be a sign of mental illness. After all, it’s hard to be easy going if you’re feeling like shit.
Apart from irritability and anger, you may also notice a mate may seem:
- Tired all the time
- Losing or putting on weight
- Hitting the booze or drugs heavily
- Hopeless or guilty
- Quieter and more withdrawn
- Or their behaviour might seem all over the place.
It’s not unusual in times like this for men to think that talking about what they’re going through will only burden their friends and family. But when a bloke tries to soldier-on in silence, he can just come across as angry and uncaring. Meanwhile, the people he’s trying to protect are wondering what they have done to upset him.
So, if a mate doesn’t seem to be himself, gently tell him what you’ve noticed and ask how you can help. You might also like to point him to some of the following links.
Now the poms may not know much about sport, they do know a thing or two about how to speak to friends about how you are feeling. This article from the UK’s Mental Health Organisation is excellent:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/supporting-someone-else-their-mental-health
Not to be beaten, The Australian government’s Healthdirect also has some great advice:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/depression-in-men
This is also an interesting link between irritability, anger and mental health from the ABC:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-04/tonic-series-4-episode-1/4242308
If you or a mate is having problems with anger, Mensline have some great advice:https://mensline.org.au/how-to-deal-with-anger/managing-anger/
Mental Health on Tap 