Irritability is defined as feelings of annoyance, frustration, or impatience in response to external stressors that would not normally cause such strong reactions. It involves having a low tolerance for things that one would normally tolerate.
Common Causes
Some common causes of increased irritability include:
- Hormonal changes, such as those related to one's menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, or andropause
- Mental health disorders, like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder
- Sleep deprivation or fatigue
- Side effects of certain medications
- Substance withdrawal
- Chronic stress
- Chronic pain conditions
Managing Irritability
Here are some tips for managing feelings of irritability:
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise regularly to reduce stress
- Practice relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing
- Communicate openly about feelings of irritation
- Take breaks from stressful situations
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and other stimulants
- Get hormone levels tested - imbalances can increase irritability
When to Seek Help
You should consider seeking help from your doctor or a mental health professional if increased irritability:
- Causes problems with relationships
- Impacts your work or school performance
- Leads to angry outbursts
- Is accompanied by other mood changes like depression or anxiety
- Lasts more than a few weeks
The hormonal fluctuation specialists at Balance Clinic can provide customized care to help improve irritability caused by hormonal imbalances. Their comprehensive lab testing accurately diagnoses hormone deficiencies related to thyroid, sex hormones, cortisol, and more.
Based on your test results, their compassionate providers design personalized treatment plans involving hormone therapy, nutrition plans, and lifestyle changes to help regulate hormones and mood.
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