What is irritability?
Irritability is defined as an excessive response to stimuli that is often seen as inappropriate and causes distress. It involves feeling easily annoyed, frustrated, or angered by things that may seem trivial to others.
Key aspects of irritability include:
- Low frustration tolerance - Having a low threshold before feeling irritated or angry when dealing with minor frustrations, disruptions, or perceived slights.
- Disproportionate reactions - Responding with anger, hostility, or aggression that is disproportionate to the situation. For example, having an extreme outburst over a minor inconvenience.
- Impulsiveness - Acting rashly based on feelings of irritation without considering potential consequences. This can include aggressive verbal outbursts or physical aggression.
- Interpersonal problems - Irritability can strain relationships with friends, family members, coworkers, etc. Others may avoid the irritated person due to their volatility.
Causes of irritability
Irritability can have many potential causes including:
- Mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or personality disorders
- Physical health problems such as chronic pain, sleep deprivation, or hormone imbalances
- Side effects of medications
- Substance withdrawal
- Stress
If you struggle with ongoing irritability, seeing a mental health professional can help. Counseling teaches coping strategies while therapy addresses root causes. At Hormone Harmony Clinic, we also test hormones like cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid to see if imbalances contribute to irritability. Our comprehensive wellness plans combine counseling, nutrition plans, fitness guidance, and bioidentical hormone therapy to help clients find relief.
Managing irritability
Whether your irritability stems from life stressors or an underlying disorder, making lifestyle changes can help:
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep nightly
- Exercise to reduce stress
- Build relaxation practices like yoga or meditation into your routine
- Avoid alcohol which can worsen irritability
- Take timeouts when feeling irritated
- Communicate feelings calmly to avoid blowing up
- Learn triggers and self-soothing strategies in counseling
With self-awareness and professional support, chronic irritation can be overcome. Relief provides social, emotional, and even career benefits as relationships flourish.