Irritability - Balance Hormone Clinic

What is irritability?

Irritability is defined as an abnormal or excessive sensitivity of the nerves or brain to external stimuli. When a person is irritable, they feel impatient, restless and upset in response to things that normally wouldn’t bother them.

Some key signs of irritability include:

• Feeling annoyed, angry or touchy more often than usual
• Overreacting to minor frustrations
• Having less patience than normal
• Arguing often or lashing out at people

Irritability differs from frustration because an irritable mood persists even when the source of frustration goes away. It’s considered abnormal when it happens frequently over an extended time and impacts relationships or daily life.

What causes irritability?

There are many potential causes of increased irritability:

• Hormonal changes - Fluctuations in hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol and testosterone can alter moods. This is why some people feel more irritable prior to menstruation.
• Stress - High stress depletes mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, leading to impatience and temper flare ups.
• Lack of sleep - Fatigue reduces emotional control. Even occasional lost sleep can make people cranky.
• Medical conditions - Thyroid disorders, chronic pain, diabetes, head injuries and dementia are linked to excessive anger responses.
• Medication side effects - Steroids, blood pressure drugs and antidepressants may provoke aggression in some cases.
• Alcohol/drug withdrawal - Stopping heavy alcohol or drug use can cause profound irritability lasting weeks.
• Mental health disorders - Conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD and ADHD increase vulnerability to anger issues.

If you struggle with increased angry outbursts, Balance Hormone Clinic provides advanced hormone testing and replacement therapies that can help stabilize mood. Contact us today for a consultation!

How is irritability treated?

The best treatment approach depends on the underlying reason for your anger issues:

• Hormone imbalances can be corrected through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy including testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. Balance Hormone Clinic specializes in customized treatments.
• Stress management techniques - Deep breathing, meditation, yoga, journaling and talk therapy help temper flares.
• Improving sleep habits - Prioritizing 7-9 hours nightly controls fatigue and frustration.
• Treating medical issues - Managing diseases and avoiding triggers reduces outbursts.
• Changing medications if side effects negatively impact moods.
• Psychotherapy teaches coping strategies for defusing rising anger. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps reframe automatic reactions.
• Medications - In severe cases, antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs provide mood stabilization.

The key is pinpointing the reasons behind your increased temper flare ups through testing. Balance Hormone Clinic provides cutting-edge diagnostic testing and personalized treatment plans. Contact us today to regain emotional balance and stability!