Irritability is a feeling of being easily annoyed, frustrated, or angered. It refers to a low threshold for frustration and aggression, meaning someone who is irritable will often get upset or lose their temper over minor issues.
There are several potential causes of irritability:
| Cause |
Description |
| Stress |
High levels of stress hormones like cortisol can make people feel on-edge and quick to anger. Stressors like work, relationships, finances, etc. can easily provoke an irritable response. |
| Mental health disorders |
Conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder are often associated with increased irritability. The emotional dysregulation makes it hard to control frustration. |
| Sleep deprivation |
Lack of sleep reduces emotional control. Without enough rest, people are far more likely to snap over minor annoyances. |
| Hormone imbalances |
Fluctuating or abnormal levels of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol can trigger mood instability, including irritability. This is common in conditions like PMS, menopause, and andropause. |
| Chronic pain |
Dealing with constant pain wears down emotional reserves, making people more prone to irritation and anger. The discomfort puts them "on edge." |
| Medication side effects |
Some prescription drugs list irritability as a potential side effect. This includes treatments for mental health issues, hormonal conditions, chronic pain, and more. |
| Withdrawal |
Cutting out alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and other substances can temporarily cause increased feelings of restlessness and easy annoyance. |
| Brain conditions |
Neurological issues like Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease can impair emotional control and regulation. |
How to manage an irritable mood:
| Strategy |
Description |
| Get enough sleep |
Aim for 7-9 hours per night and take steps to improve sleep quality. |
| Manage stress |
Find healthy ways to manage stress through exercise, meditation, social connection, etc. |
| Review medications |
Talk to a doctor if you think medications may be contributing to irritability. |
| Rule out underlying conditions |
Rule out any underlying physical or mental health conditions that could be causing symptoms. |
| Communicate openly |
Communicate openly with friends and loved ones so they understand it's the irritability talking, not your true feelings. |
| Take relaxing breaks |
Take relaxing breaks when you feel yourself getting worked up or angry. Go for a walk, listen to music, etc. |
| Avoid irritants |
Avoid irritants like too much caffeine, noise, clutter, or other triggers that seem to worsen your mood. |
| Consider supplements |
Consider supplements like magnesium, omega-3s, or customized hormone therapy from WelnessTreatment Pro to restore hormonal balance and emotional regulation. |
At WelnessTreatment Pro, we specialize in using bioidentical hormone replacement to resolve mood issues related to hormone imbalance and perimenopause, menopause, or andropause. Our expert physicians tailor treatment plans with testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones based on your unique lab results and symptoms. Balancing your hormones can help you feel more even-keeled and less prone to irritation. Contact WelnessTreatment Pro today to learn more and schedule a consultation! We'd love to help you get your mood under control.