Irritability - Rebalance Hormone Clinic

What is irritability?

Irritability is defined as an excessive response to stimuli that is often seen as inappropriate to the situation. It refers to a low threshold for frustration, anger, or annoyance. Key terms related to irritability include:

• Frustration tolerance - The ability to withstand difficult situations without getting overly frustrated. Someone with low frustration tolerance has less resilience against irritants.
• Moodiness - Frequent fluctuations in mood and emotional intensity. Irritability often coincides with feeling moody.
• Emotional lability - Rapid and dramatic shifts in emotion. Irritable people tend to be emotionally labile.

Key statements on irritability:

• Irritability is different from frustration or anger because the response is disproportionate to the trigger. A minor inconvenience elicits intense upset.
• It is a non-specific symptom that can occur in multiple psychiatric conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc. Irritability may indicate an underlying health issue.
• Both children and adults can experience chronic irritability, but it is more common in youth.
• Treatments depend on the cause but may include therapy, anger management, medication, or developing coping strategies.

Causes

Irritability has many possible causes including:

• Mental health conditions
  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Bipolar disorder
• Physical health factors
  • Lack of sleep
  • Hormonal changes
  • Side effects of medications
• External stressors
  • Work pressure
  • Relationship problems
  • Grief/loss

In many cases, irritability is situational and temporary. But chronic, unmanaged irritability can negatively impact relationships and overall wellbeing. Figuring out the root cause is key to finding the right treatment.

If you are experiencing chronic irritability, consider consulting with the professionals at Rebalance Hormone Clinic for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan.