No day can be truly perfect. One way or another, problems can arise from your daily routines. They may be irritants or major issues, holding back your productivity, maybe for the day or maybe for life. However, if you often find yourself regretting losing your temper over something that irritated you, it is right to be concerned. Unwarranted anger is not good and it deserves attention.

Being irritable can damage relationships. It can wreak havoc on your concentration, affecting the quality of your performance at home, work, or school. There are many possible reasons for feeling agitated on most days. It is important to pay attention, because it can be a sign that you are overwhelmed or you are suffering from a medical or an emotional condition.

Irritability as a Response to the Daily Grind

Even the most successful people experience hassles daily. Finding yourself stuck in traffic, not finding a space to park, not getting enough sleep because of a deadline or a sick child—these and more can happen any day. These are all normal, but it may not be healthy if you keep on ignoring your reaction to them—irritability.

If you are constantly responding to common issues and irritants with irritability or anger, take a second look. It is easy to understand why major setbacks, loss, or trauma can cause negative emotions. What you may find surprising is the fact that daily minor hassles can have the same effect on your emotional health.

Irritability: Why Pay Attention?

Irritability that happens quite often, even over minor issues, must not be trivialized. It can be a sign that you are experiencing too much stress. Recurring irritants in your life can pile up to the point where you feel devastated when big issues happen. Irritation can also indicate a medical or emotional concern.

Irritability is often an indication of chronic stress. According to a 2010 Stress in America survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), “Chronic stress—stress that interferes with your ability to function normally over an extended period—is becoming a public health crisis.” The report says that “most Americans are suffering from moderate to high stress.”  The top sources of stress identified in the study are financial issues, job stability, and the economy.

Healthline says, “Irritability is a feeling of agitation that can occur when someone is provoked. It can also be a symptom of a mental (emotional) disorder or medical condition.” Some of these medical conditions include aches and pains, premenstrual syndrome, menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, hormonal imbalance, and hyperthyroidism. It can be a symptom of emotional conditions, such as bipolar disorder, depression, and, according to Calm Clinic, anxiety. It can also be a result of withdrawal from drugs, caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol.

Irritability can affect your relationships and your ability to function normally. It can leave you sleepless at night or not eating well, worrying about the people you hurt with each outburst or insensitive comment. Ignored, it can create further problems or make your condition worse, interfering with your functionality and relationships.

Take Action

Irritability may seem like an innocent reaction that all people have. However, chronic irritability can be an indication of something bad for your physical and emotional well-being. Because there are many possible causes, diagnosing irritability is best left to professionals. If your doctor rules out a medical condition after running tests on your urine, blood, etc., it is time to contact a therapist independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Sanford, NC.

Daily stresses cannot be avoided, but if you often regret what you said or did after losing your temper, your irritability over them can stand in the way of enjoying your family, work, and social interactions. If this is happening often over minor issues or setbacks, it can destroy relationships and may indicate a medical or emotional condition. Don’t let the matter sit in your lap for long: take action. Your way out is to call Carolina Counseling Services – Sanford, NC, now!

Related Articles:

• Responding to Life Pressures Without Anger