Irritability is both an emotion and a type of behavior. It’s often a sign that a person is struggling or that something is wrong. It’s normal to feel irritable and intolerant of others when you’re hungry, tired, sick or in physical pain. There are also mental health conditions and medical conditions that can cause people to feel and act this way.

From the outside, an irritable person may seem impatient, easily frustrated or angry. Maybe this is uncharacteristic for them, or maybe irritability is an ongoing pattern. If you’ve been feeling irritable a lot lately, it’s good to approach those feelings with curiosity and compassion. It’s also a good idea to keep track of these moods and how you respond to them. You might reflect on what you notice in the moment and what overarching issues may be related. It’s definitely worth bringing up intense or persistent feelings of irritability with your doctor or a psychotherapist.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss nine mental health conditions that can cause irritability and anger.

9 underlying conditions that can cause irritability and intolerance

Most of the time, when a mental health condition is the cause, irritability and aggression aren’t intentionally directed at one person or situation. People often become irritable because they’re using their mental energy to deal with their own thoughts, emotions or sensory experience. As more stressors and challenges pile up, they become overwhelmed. With less access to their internal resources and a lower capacity for interpersonal skills, they become more reactive. 

The following mental health conditions can cause irritability and anger with others:

• Depression — Some people with depression will feel irritable from time to time, but not all. Irritability is listed in the DSM-5 as a core symptom of depression for children. It’s fairly common among adults with depression as well. Because it’s not listed in the core criteria for adults, people who experience significant irritability as a symptom of depression may not receive the care they need.
• Anxiety disorders — Being anxious takes up a lot of energy. When you’re already stressed and worried or upset, it can be harder to ignore small frustrations. Irritability can be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other related conditions.
• Bipolar disorder — People with bipolar disorder experience episodes of mania or hypomania. While these typically cause an elevated mood, in some cases, they can look more like anxiety and irritability. Some people with bipolar disorder may experience anxiety as a part of a depressive episode as well.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — Chronic stress and worry can leave your nervous system on edge and under-resourced. People with PTSD may feel irritable when they’re “activated” in a fight-or-flight response. They may also experience it during a depressive episode while they’re recovering after a high-stress situation.
• Personality disorders — Irritability and a short temper are common features of borderline personality disorder (BPD), narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and related conditions. People with certain personality disorders may become irritable because of intense moods or when they feel they’re not being treated appropriately. 
• Schizoaffective disorder — Mood episodes such as depression and mania or hypomania are a core feature of schizoaffective disorder. People with this condition also experience hallucinations or delusions. Having both symptoms at the same time can sometimes increase irritability.
• Developmental disorders — People with developmental conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism experience the world differently than “neurotypical” people. They may have a lot of thoughts in quick succession or struggle to focus on more than one thing at a time. Intense emotions and sensory processing issues are also very common in people with these conditions. 
• Neurological conditions — Irritability is a primary symptom of many neurological conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, stroke, and head injuries). Ruling out thyroid problems or hormonal imbalances is important in potential diagnosis of other conditions, as they can also cause irritability. 
• Withdrawal — When a person is dependent on a substance or another type of addiction, withdrawal can make them feel irritable. Besides things like drugs, alcohol and caffeine, people can also become addicted to activities like gambling or sex.

There are some ways you can take care of yourself that might help reduce your irritability. Getting enough sleep and eating nutritious foods are a good starting point. Regular exercise can also help with stress. If you have a busy schedule or high expectations of yourself, see if you can make some adjustments. 

If you’ve been feeling irritable for more than a week or two, it’s a good idea to discuss your symptoms with a doctor or psychotherapist — especially if you’re noticing other symptoms, too. Determining the cause of your irritability is the first step to finding effective treatment. If your irritability is so intense that it’s getting in the way of social situations or affecting your relationships, you should talk with your doctor or seek a mental health assessment. 

At Lightfully, we provide comprehensive mental health treatment that combines several types of psychotherapy and medication management as needed. We see our clients as people first, not a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. We can help you learn healthy ways to manage symptoms like irritability that can affect every part of your life.

Do you have questions about seeking treatment? Feel free to contact us. Let’s talk about what you’re noticing and how you can start feeling like yourself again.