When Irritability Becomes a Problem
It's okay to feel angry sometimes: Anger is a common emotion that communicates a violation of personal boundaries. Irritability becomes a problem when the reaction clearly does not correspond to the reason, is repeated almost daily and the person ceases to control it. An important guideline is the consequences: damaged relationships, conflicts at work, fear of loved ones, feelings of guilt and emptiness after the outbreak. If such a condition lasts more than two or three weeks or worsens, this is a reason to understand the reasons, and not attribute everything to character and fatigue.
- The reaction is stronger than the occasion
- Episodes repeat almost every day
- Relationships and work suffer
- After the outbreak - guilt and emptiness
- The condition lasts longer than two to three weeks
Possible reasons
It is convenient to divide the reasons into three groups. The first is lifestyle: chronic lack of sleep, overwork, lack of rest, alcohol, excess caffeine, nicotine withdrawal. The second is mental conditions: anxiety disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and in adolescents there is also a period of hormonal changes. The third is physical illnesses: hyperthyroidism, iron deficiency, chronic pain, sleep apnea, diabetes sugar swings, premenstrual syndrome and menopause. Separately, medications are taken into account: hormones, some blood pressure medications and bronchodilators.
- Lack of sleep and sleep apnea syndrome
- Anxiety, depression, burnout
- Thyrotoxicosis and other hormonal disorders
- Iron deficiency and anemia
- Chronic pain
- Alcohol, caffeine, smoking cessation
- Side effects of drugs
Associated signs that will suggest the cause
Pay attention to what accompanies irritability - this is more important than the outburst itself. Palpitations, sweating, trembling and weight loss with a good appetite indicate a thyroid gland. Paleness, weakness, hair loss and shortness of breath on exertion are due to iron deficiency. Morning fatigue and loud snoring with pauses in breathing are signs of sleep apnea. Constant worry, painful thoughts and tension in the body indicate an anxiety disorder, while joylessness and loss of interest indicate depression.
- Palpitations, sweating, trembling - thyroid gland
- Pallor and weakness - anemia
- Snoring and daytime sleepiness - sleep apnea
- Anxiety and tension - anxiety disorder
- Joylessness - depression
- Headaches and dizziness - neurological cause
What examinations are needed
The examination begins with a conversation: the doctor clarifies the duration and nature of the outbreaks, sleep patterns, exercise, alcohol and caffeine consumption, and medications taken. It is useful to keep a diary for two weeks: when the outbreak occurred, what preceded it, how much you slept. The basic set of tests is small - it is aimed at excluding the most common physical causes. For focal neurological symptoms, seizures, or personality changes after injury, the doctor adds an examination by a neurologist and neuroimaging.
- Outburst and sleep diary for two weeks
- TSH
- Complete blood count and ferritin
- Blood glucose
- Vitamin D according to indications
- Consultation with a neurologist, if necessary, MRI of the brain
What to do and how to treat
First, obvious provocateurs are eliminated: they get at least seven hours of sleep, reduce caffeine and alcohol, add regular physical activity and breaks from work. If a disease is found, it is treated and the irritability goes away along with it. For anxiety, depression, or difficulty controlling anger, psychotherapy can help by teaching you to notice early signs of growing tension and use self-calming techniques. Medicines are prescribed only by a doctor and only for a confirmed disorder, and not “for nerves.”
- Sleep at least seven hours in a stable mode
- Limit caffeine, avoid alcohol
- Regular physical activity and walks
- Breathing techniques and pauses before answering
- Psychotherapy for anxiety and anger problems
- Treatment of the identified disease