HELP TOPIC
IRRITABILITY
Irritability is, in itself, a healthy emotional state. It is meant to inform us that something is bothering us or hurting us. It becomes pathological when it disrupts our lives and damages our personal, social, and professional functioning over a long period of time. Irritability usually needs to be watched carefully, because it can cause everything we do to become a negative experience. The endless shadow of instability, however, can be extraordinarily destructive. Easily losing control, making spiteful remarks, being intolerant, impatience, nervousness, agitation, showing inappropriate reactions, and distancing yourself from certain people because of their unpleasant and negative behavior. All of this indicates that something is wrong in our lives and that it is time to take action.
Causes
Nervousness is a reflection of internal anxiety. Hyperactivity is often related to the work situation and distressing experiences during the day. Sometimes it is the body’s physiological response to a sudden event, thereby mobilizing the body to act. In stressful situations, irritability and nervousness are the result of the nervous system, and more specifically its sympathetic branch. The sympathetic nervous system stimulates many activities that are activated during sudden stressful experiences (for example, fear, struggle, escape). A number of changes in the body that occur at times of high mental stress are simply the effect of this part of the nervous system. In addition to nervousness and irritability, this may also include:
- an increased heart rate and stronger contractions,
- increased blood pressure,
- excessive sweating,
- increased sphincter tension.
They also lead to psychomotor anxiety. The interaction of mental and physical stress results in the creation of a vicious cycle. Breaking this chain of events is the basis for treating nervousness and irritability.
Symptoms
Symptoms associated with irritability include excessive irritability, anxiety, and lack of concentration. In addition, you may also observe:
- pain in the heart area, often also palpitations,
- persistent headaches, often tension-type,
- gastrointestinal disorders,
- disorders of libido and sexual function.
Irritability, anxiety disorders, and depression are the most common mental health problems in our society. They are often experienced as a complex group of emotional and functional disorders. The irritability already mentioned is one of the symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders. It often occurs in mood and behavioral disorders.
Treatment
Treatment is primarily based on psychotherapy. Sometimes it is necessary to introduce pharmacological treatment (antidepressants). Treatment with beta blockers (e.g., propranolol), which block the adrenergic receptors of the nervous system and reduce severe autonomic symptoms such as palpitations or trembling hands, can also produce good results. However, a condition for their use is blood pressure monitoring.
SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES