Why Are You Getting More Irritable Lately?

Do you feel like your patience has been growing thinner and your temper has been growing shorter, as of late? If you find yourself ready to snap, even if you haven’t quite done it yet, and you feel like there is frustration or agitation that you’re antsy to express, this is what is often described as irritability. Irritability shouldn’t be treated like your natural way of being, there are likely causes that you should consider taking a closer look at.

You may be dealing with stress

If you’re stressed, of course, you’re going to be feeling more irritable. Stress releases cortisol, which makes us feel more antsy and alert. Short periods of stress are not unhealthy, but if you are experiencing stress on a more regular basis, you may need to look at treatment for chronic stress. If it gets to the point that you are experiencing panic attacks, then you might be experiencing an anxiety disorder, which you should get help with ASAP.

 

You might not be getting enough sleep

This point can often be related to the last point, as stress and sleeplessness are often tied together. However, even if you’re not being kept awake by stress, a lack of sleep can decrease the body’s ability to regulate the release of cortisol. This, in turn, will have you feeling stressed and irritable. You may need to look at treatments for sleep deprivation, whether medical in nature such as sleep aids, or using technology such as white noise machines.

Your hormones might be out of whack

Our hormones dictate a lot of the moods and sensations that we feel during the day. For instance, cortisol as a byproduct of stress is one such hormone. Testosterone is an important hormone as well, as being low on it can lead to irritability, which can signal the need for customized TRT programs. Menopause is another common hormonal change that a lot of people experience that can lead to irritability. Women may also experience it as a symptom of premenstrual syndrome or of polycystic ovary syndrome.

You could be experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition

Your irritability could be a symptom of a mental health condition that has never been diagnosed. It’s a common sign of bipolar disorder, which is one of the most under-diagnosed conditions, affecting roughly 3% of all adults. Similarly, it is commonly associated with autism, depression disorders, and schizophrenia. You may want to talk to your doctor about your mental health to get to the bottom of it.

It could be a side-effect of other health changes

If you have been making any major health and wellness changes lately, such as reducing drug use, recovering from alcohol addiction, quitting nicotine or caffeine, then this can cause irritability, too. Irritability is a common withdrawal symptom. These tend to be temporary, at least.

 

If you feel like you are getting more and more irritable, then talk to your doctor about it. They might be able to help you find the cause as well as how you can treat it.