Irritable moods affect everyone from time to time, and that’s perfectly normal.
At a Glance
Irritability is a common emotion that many people experience fairly regularly.
When people feel irritable, small annoyances that they might normally ignore become a source of agitation and anger.
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Symptoms of Irritability
Irritability can appear in a variety of ways.
How it looks often depends on the individual and what’s causing them to feel this way.
They might feel fine in one moment, but a minor annoyance might set them off.
The ensuing reaction may seem out of proportion to the situation.
Irritability can often set off a cycle that contributes to further problems.
When we feel irritable, we become more and more tense and frustrated.
The result is that we are often even more sensitive and responsive to stress.
You will be asked about your medical history, medications you are taking, and your lifestyle habits.
Conditions such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes, for example, can cause feelings of irritability.
Irritability Can Have Various Causes
Feelings of irritability can have a variety of causes.
Sometimes it might be linked to a temporary stressor.
You might feel irritable after a poor night’s sleep or after a long day of work.
Physical and medical conditions can also contribute to feelings of irritability.
Instead, a doctor will evaluate all of your symptoms and then make a diagnosis based on these observations.
How to Treat Irritability
Treatment for irritability depends upon your doctor’s diagnosis.
Relieving feelings of irritability involves treating the underlying causes.
Medications such asantidepressantsand other mood-stabilizing drugs may be prescribed.
Different types of therapy may be used depending on your specific diagnosis.
Regardless of the underlying cause, your doctor may also recommend lifestyle modifications that may help improve your mood.
Getting more sleep and following a healthy diet, for example, may be helpful.
Pay attention to the times when you feel the most irritated.
Do you get annoyed at a specific time of day, following certain events, or around certain people?
Your doctor can determine what might be causing these feelings and recommend treatments to help you feel better.
You may also want to consideronline therapyas an option to help cope with feelings of irritability.
Research suggests that online therapy can be just as effective as traditional face-to-face treatment.
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Leibenluft E, Stoddard J.The developmental psychopathology of irritability.Dev Psychopathol.
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Gratzer D, Khalid-khan F.Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of psychiatric illness.CMAJ.
2016;188(4):263-272. doi:10.1503/cmaj.150007
