Irritability may be caused by psychological and physical conditions, such as anxiety, hormonal changes, and blood sugar fluctuations. Coping strategies include exercise and deep breathing, among others.
Irritability refers to
When you’re irritable, you’re more likely to become frustrated or upset easily with things that don’t normally bother you.
This may be caused by temporary situations like a lack of sleep or being hungry, but it could also be a symptom of a mental or physical health condition.
Babies and young children often feel irritable, especially when they’re tired or sick. For example, children may become fussy when they have ear infections or stomach aches.
Keep reading to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and coping strategies of irritability.
The causes of irritability could be divided into two general categories: psychological and physical.
Psychological causes
Irritability is a symptom associated with at least 15 conditions in the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR).
The DSM-5-TR classifies chronic, severe irritability in children as disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD). It was added to the DSM-5-TR in 2013, according to the
Irritability is also a common symptom associated with several other mental health conditions that may affect children, adolescents, and adults, including:
The authors of a
If you notice a child or adolescent is frequently irritable, consider speaking with them or trying to connect them with a healthcare professional who could develop a management plan to help them cope.
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Physical causes
Irritability may also have physical causes, such as:
- sleep deprivation
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- acute respiratory illness, such as the flu and COVID-19
- ear infections
- toothaches
- hormonal changes, such as menopause and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- medical conditions, such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- taking certain medications
- alcohol use disorder
- withdrawal from certain substances, such as alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine
People often describe irritability as being in a bad mood, such as feeling angry, annoyed, or on edge.
Feeling irritable could lead you to lash out at others when you normally wouldn’t or feel like you need to be on guard and ready to react, even in situations where this isn’t usually necessary.
You may also experience other symptoms if irritability is associated with another condition. For instance, if irritability is associated with a mood disorder like anxiety, you may also experience:
If you’re experiencing irritability due to hormonal changes that occur during menopause, you may experience:
- fever
- headache
- hot flashes
- heart palpitations
- pain in your muscles and joints
- changes in body weight
- reduced sex drive
Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you feel irritable regularly and don’t know why.
To identify the cause, they may perform a physical examination and go over your medical history. This may include asking you questions about:
- other symptoms you may be experiencing
- medical conditions you may have
- medications you may be taking
- lifestyle habits, such as sleeping patterns, physical activity level, and alcohol consumption
- possible sources of stress in your life
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, they may order several tests to identify physical causes. For instance, a blood test may be used to examine your blood glucose levels for diabetes.
They may also refer you to a mental health professional for evaluation.
Treatment for irritability will depend on the underlying cause and the severity of your symptoms.
If you receive a diagnosis of a mental health condition, your treatment plan may include a
- lifestyle changes, such as exercising, getting enough sleep, and eating a balanced diet
- psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parental training
- counseling, such as talk therapy, group therapy, and online counseling
- cessation programs, such as for smoking and drinking alcohol
- medications, such as antidepressants, stimulants, and antipsychotics
A doctor may recommend other types of treatment depending on the underlying cause of irritability. For instance, they may suggest hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause or antibiotics for an infection.
If you find you’re frequently irritable, some coping strategies may help you relax.
The first step is recognizing when you’re feeling irritated. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), this could help you take the necessary steps to calm down.
The NHS recommends the following coping strategies:
- take a moment to breathe before reacting to a trigger
- try exercising, such as going for a walk, doing a bodyweight workout at home, or biking
- practice stress management, such as meditating, doing yoga, and deep breathing
A healthcare professional may also provide more coping strategies to help you manage irritability.
Irritability refers to a feeling of agitation, annoyance, and impatience.
You may experience irritability from time to time due to lack of sleep or hunger. However, frequent and severe irritability may be a symptom of an underlying health condition.
Speak with a healthcare professional if you or a child in your care experience frequent irritability. They could help develop a management plan.