Irritability can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'life-threatening'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.
Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose irritability, we could:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Overtraining | 96% | Confirm |
Mercury Toxicity | 27% | Unlikely |
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity | 17% | Unlikely |
Male Menopause | 1% | Ruled out |
Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects | 1% | Ruled out |
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | 0% | Ruled out |
Hyperthyroidism | 0% | Ruled out |
Hemochromatosis | 0% | Ruled out |
How easily do you become irritated? This is not the same as angry. For example, are you easily annoyed by unwanted noise, other people, or things not going as planned?
Possible responses:
→ I rarely get irritated, never seriously→ I occasionally get mildly irritated → I suppose I am about average / don't know → I often get irritated, occasionally very irritated → I frequently get very irritated |
Many people who practice yoga say they experience a reduction of nervousness and irritability.
Many bodily functions – including brain function – are affected by dehydration due to the resulting mineral imbalances. One study of dehydration and mood in 25 young women found that those who were just 1% dehydrated reported irritability and changes in mood. [The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 142, Issue 2, 1 February 2012, pp.382-8]
A depressive person's irritability is often directed at those closest to them, namely as family and friends. This alienating of loved ones and family disruption in itself can lead to higher risk of suicidal thoughts.
Not only may diets such as the Atkins Diet impair mental functioning, they may impair emotional functioning as well. Researchers at MIT are afraid the Atkins Diet is likely to make many people – especially women – irritable and depressed. [MIT News, 20 February 2004]
Irritability is one of the most common symptoms amongst children with gluten sensitivity.
Early symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include fatigue, anorexia, irritability, insomnia, and muscle tremors or twitching.