Irritability: why does it occur and how to deal with it?

“Everything seems like a mountain to me, almost anything bothers me and I’m already running out of patience… “Why do I feel so irritable lately?”. Who more and who less asks this same question on more than one occasion. Because there are times when emotions are on the surface and we are only accompanied by that bad mood that permeates almost anything…

No one likes to wear the mask of bad mood and irritability every day. What’s more, if there is something that frequently happens, it is that things get much more complicated, our relationships get worse, and what we used to do without effort, now we postpone it as much as possible, thus increasing frustration. For what is this? Are we losing control, are we going crazy, perhaps?

Absolutely. A detail that We must understand is that the mood varies, like the weather. We all suffer ups and downs, there are days when we can do everything and others when we can do everything. And for it to happen like this is normal. We are humans, not robots whose character, emotions and motivations do not vary and remain in that unusual and artificial balance.

However, The problem comes when this state of discomfort lasts longer than necessary. The fact that the days go by and that storm cloud continues overhead filtering our entire outlook is disturbing and worrying. Let’s know the reasons.

Why do I feel irritable lately? These may be the reasons

If you’re wondering why I feel irritable lately, you should know that There may be emotional and also organic causes.. That is to say, that state in which bad mood, exhaustion and lack of patience intermingle can be the origin of both a psychological state that we are not facing, as well as a health problem.

JD Salinger said in his famous book The catcher in the rye that if we do not adapt to a correct state of mind, nothing will go well for us. One way to achieve this is by having a better awareness of what happens to us. Because often Irritability is just an outer layer, the gate to something deeper that we are neglecting..

Let us therefore know those underlying dimensions.

The hidden sadness, when nothing goes as we expect

Sadness very often lives in the basement of irritability.. That state that creates layers when things go wrong, when in recent weeks only disappointments and disappointments come to us. In those situations in which we neglect this emotion, it is very common to cover it with frustration and anger until, suddenly, our character becomes irritable.

It is important to always be aware that mood is usually the combination of many emotions. Breaking them down, identifying them and understanding what they want to tell us will always be the best strategy.

Willpower and mental exhaustion

“I have to be able to do everything. My family, my boss or my partner expects a lot from me. I have to get over this problem. I need to give my best in this situation… “. Let’s admit it, Sometimes, we treat ourselves with severity and with high self-demand. Willpower has a limit and it is very easy to reach that exhaustion in which everything ends up collapsing, your spirits, your desire, your strength…

Studies such as those carried out by psychologist Roy Baumesteir of Princeton University indicate that Willpower is, indeed, a limited resource. Sometimes, having to decide and act constantly in the face of the challenges we face is exhausting and frustrating. It is common therefore to end up feeling that irritability.

Depression and bad mood, a very common link

“Why do I feel irritable lately? Why has everything been bothering me for a while, making me hopeless and not finding motivation?” One cause that may be shaping this state is a mood disorder. Some of the symptoms of depression are precisely irritability and bad mood.

It is very common for many people to be unaware of this latent disorder because they remain functional. Sometimes, depression is exclusively associated with that sadness that encapsulates someone in the darkness of their room, when in reality this is not always the case.

The anguish of uncertainty

People want certainties, the brain needs that feeling of having things under control to experience calm and balance. Thus, when the horizon is filled with uncertainties, it is common for the sting of anxiety to appear and also that alarm that the amygdala lights up when it senses threats.

Why do I feel irritable lately? Organic causes that you should take into account

Another reason why I feel irritable lately may be due to my health. A change in mood can sometimes be a consequence of an alteration in the body. Let’s look at some possible causes:

Many days sleeping little.Thyroid disordersa very common factor that orchestrates changes in mood. Hormonal changes, such as premenstrual syndrome. Chronic pain, fibromyalgia or any chronic illness.Deficiency of some nutrient, such as iron, vitamin D, vitamin B…

What can we do when we have been in this state of irritability for several days?

As it is often said, Bad mood and irritability are not a good place to live. In these situations, it is best to become aware of them and not allow this discomfort to increase, otherwise, the quality of life will be seriously affected. How? Let’s look at some keys.

Identify. Try to explain what emotions make up that discomfort. As we have noted, irritability may just be the cork in the bottle. It is very possible that sadness, frustration, fear is also hidden inside. Give those emotions a name.Transform. What kind of thoughts live in my head these days? Become aware of them, especially those highly negative and irrational ones. Turn them around and create more useful and valid thoughts.Change. When we feel more irritable than normal, we are usually stuck in routines that make the discomfort even worse. Make changes. Do something new.Share. Talk to someone you trust, vent your thoughts and don’t carry your burdens alone. In this sense, you can talk about your problems with someone you trust or go to a psychotherapist.Promotes healthy habits. Lack of sleep, poor diet, and excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol significantly alter our emotional states and increase the risk of suffering from prolonged irritability.

To conclude, if these states of discomfort continue to last too long, do not hesitate to request expert help. A bad mood oxidizes life and is usually one of the faces of depression.

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