The psychological explanation behind “Why do men become cranky as they age”
The phrase “grumpy old man” may sound familiar to you. While it’s usually used humorously to describe someone old, there is some psychological evidence to back this idea. Men become cranky as they age for many reasons: psychological, biological, and social reasons.
Aging is something hard to accept by everyone, man or woman because besides wisdom, aging comes with a full package of health issues, no fixed income, and in most cases an empty nest which leads to loneliness and depression.
If you have an old person in your life, remember these words next time you’re mad at them. They need more kindness and compassion than usual. Now let’s see why men become cranky as they age.
They’re feeling bad about their physique
As with women, men are also conscious of their looks, and as they age, they must come to terms with the fact that they no longer look the same as they did when they were in their twenties.
Many older men find it difficult to realize that they might not be as appealing to the other gender as they once were because of wrinkles, balding hair, gray hair, and even some weight gain.
Not everyone is OK with the fact that they are actually getting older, and both their confidence and sense of self-worth may be affected by this, making men cranky as they age. It takes a lot of work with yourself to accept the fact that aging isn’t that bad, but not many people have anyone to talk to.
Health condition isn’t top-notch
As we age, our bodies become more sensitive and fragile, leading to various health conditions that affect many individuals. And it depends on how seriously everyone takes these issues. Older men may find it difficult to adjust to their new circumstances due to age-related sickness, which might include attending frequent doctor’s appointments, giving up physical activity or diminishing it as much as possible, and following a restrictive diet.
Deprive a man who used to be active, healthy, and strong in their youth by telling them they have a heart condition that doesn’t allow them to make a physical effort anymore; they will become grumpy and sad. It’s completely normal to react this way. They witness their lives changing in the blink of an eye, and it’s not easy to accept.
Hormonal fluctuations
We hear a lot about how menopause affects women and how bad the symptoms of it are. But we tend to neglect that men also have their version of menopause, which is called andropause, and this is a major reason why men become cranky as they age.
Men have falling testosterone levels as they age, which can contribute to mood swings, irritability, a general decline in well-being, and fat redistribution—such as the development of a big belly or gynecomastia—all of which may ultimately result in depression.
Not many senior men can afford to go to therapy. Plus, besides not having enough financial resources, it’s also hard to open up in front of someone, even if that person is impartial and is there to help us. If you are in a similar situation, or if your parent is, then maybe a book about aging and how to handle andropause is really going to help. Andropause: The Complete Male Menopause Guide. Discover the Shocking Truth about Low Testosterone is a great compendium, written in a friendly way to be understood by everyone. It’s available on Amazon for $14.97.
Loss of passion
It’s typical for elderly men to struggle with erectile dysfunction and notice a decrease in passion. When a guy struggles to feel like he can please his significant other, it can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
These two struggles can have a significant negative influence on a man’s confidence and self-esteem and in most cases end up in a divorce.
Bad side effects of medications
Another major reason why men become cranky as they age is because of all the medication they must take for their health conditions. Some of them can have bad side effects like headaches, the need to go to the bathroom more often than usual, or any other physical discomfort. Because of this, men become irritable, and have mood swings, pushing their loved ones away, even unintentionally.
Not feeling the “vibe” of today’s culture and lifestyle
No matter what we do to include seniors in our lives, there is always going to be a gender gap, and whatever seems cool to us, our parents or grandparents might disagree with it. The realization that one day you wake up and realize that you’re no longer young, the rapid evolution of technology that you don’t keep pace with, or even the music produced nowadays that sounds ridiculous, can make you feel frustrated and out of touch.
Seniors may feel like they are living in a different time, which affects their overall mood as everything has changed since their youth, including fashion and customs, making it hard for them to accept.
Loss of independence
One of the many reasons men become cranky as they age is because they feel like their independence is slipping through their fingers. Picture this: you were once a successful human being with a good job, a father who provided for his family, but as you’ve gotten older and your health has deteriorated, you are no longer able to work, and you aren’t able to play with your grandkids due to mobility issues.
This can come out as a punch in the face, and everybody who is facing these issues may become pretty irritated.
Sight and hearing loss
As we age, most of us will experience a decrease in our ability to see. While some already have glasses, regular check-ups are recommended to see if everything is still okay and, if not, to replace the old glasses with stronger ones.
Sounds like a plan, right? In theory, yes, but in practice, the fact that our ability to see is decreasing from one year to another can be very frustrating. This is another huge reason why men become cranky as they age.
When it comes to hearing loss is the same or worse. According to studies, hearing loss affects males twice as frequently as it does women. The inability to hear people and the shame associated with being deaf can make men feel more alone and depressed, which can lower their mood and make them angry. Hearing loss is a frequent problem among the elderly.
Retirement life
Every article is buzzing with the fact that retirement is awesome, we should enjoy every moment of it, and blah blah. But we often forget that working and having a day-to-day job enriches people’s lives in ways that go beyond financial gain. Socializing for example is incredibly mentally and physically stimulating.
In addition, many men—especially those from older generations—have been taught to associate a significant portion of their self-worth with their jobs, so retirement can leave a significant gap in a man’s life, a gap many see as a very bad thing.
How do you feel about your retirement years, and how do you face the challenges that come with aging? Tell us in the comments. And if you enjoy reading this article, don’t forget to subscribe to our page, if, of course, you’re not already a member of our community.
You may also be interested in reading 6 Terrible Ways You Sabotage Yourself (and How to Stop It).
