What is irritability?
Irritability is a feeling of annoyance, impatience, or lack of tolerance. It can manifest as aggression, frustrations, moodiness, or an exaggerated response to stress. Irritability can be caused by many factors, both mental and physical.
Some common causes of irritability include:
- Stress - High levels of stress, whether from work, relationships, finances, or other sources, can make someone feel on-edge and prone to irritability. Stress causes the body to release cortisol and adrenaline, which can heighten emotions.
- Lack of sleep - Not getting enough sleep or having poor quality sleep can make a person feel fatigued and irritable the next day. Sleep deprivation disrupts mood regulation.
- Hormonal changes - Fluctuations in hormones, like during menstruation or perimenopause, can trigger irritability in some people. Estrogen and progesterone impact serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood.
- Blood sugar changes - Drops in blood sugar from not eating regularly, or spikes from eating high glycemic foods, can cause irritability. Keeping blood sugar stable is key.
- Medication side effects - Some medications like steroids or stimulants may list irritability as a potential side effect. Always speak to your doctor about any personality changes.
- Mental health conditions - Disorders like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or ADHD often have irritability as a core symptom. Irritability can signify underlying issues that require treatment.
- Chronic pain - Conditions causing constant pain, like arthritis, migraines, or nerve damage, can understandably make someone feel short-tempered and intolerant. Pain affects mood.
- External factors - Loud noises, bright lights, crowds, or even particular smells can overstimulate someone's senses and cause them to feel impatient or aggressive.
If you are experiencing frequent or intense irritability that is impacting your daily life, relationships, or work, it's important to identify the root cause and take steps to address it. Lifestyle changes like getting enough sleep, regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management techniques like mindfulness or therapy can help. For some, medications or hormone therapy may be warranted.
At Balance Hormone Clinic, our experts can provide customized care plans to balance hormone levels and relieve irritability safely and effectively. With treatments like bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and nutritional IV therapies, we help patients restore emotional equilibrium and live irritability-free. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a consultation! We're here to listen and help you feel like your best self again.