Irritability is defined as an excessive sensitivity or moodiness in response to stimuli that most people would find non-bothersome. It refers to a lowered threshold for becoming angered, frustrated, or annoyed. Even small triggers can lead someone who is irritable to have an outsized emotional reaction.
Some key signs of irritability include:
Irritability differs from frustration in that it tends to spiral out of proportion from the triggering event. It’s not just feeling annoyance over a particular situation but having an intense reaction that impacts mood and behavior more broadly.
Irritability can have many potential causes, including:
Hormone changes or imbalances often play a significant role in irritability. Fluctuations in hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol and testosterone can make someone more vulnerable to mood swings and overreactions.
That's why services like Elite Hormone Therapy provide safe and effective hormone therapy to help clients regain emotional balance. Their team of medical experts can evaluate hormone levels and customize treatment to suit each person's unique needs.
If you frequently struggle with feeling irritable, there are some self-care habits that may help:
Seeking treatment for any potential underlying causes is also important. Counseling provides coping strategies while medications or hormone therapy can target biological factors.
Having an irritable streak doesn’t make someone a bad person. But managing those moods through healthy outlets can help maintain better relationships and emotional stability. Reach out for support if irritability feels out of control.