Irritability, for me, is probably the worst part of all of this (BP II). Over the years and with tweaks here and there I usually don't hit the horrendous levels of depression now. I do still get hypo from time to time but it doesn't get in my way too badly (I think most of us want/envy this aspect). But I would trade almost anything to be rid of the irritability.

Does anyone else experience it as a physical thing? I feel like I'm being tortured from the inside out. The problem is that I can't say what hurts, what's sensitive or describe any actual physical symptom. When at its worst my eyes always feel dry, slitted and swollen. But that matches nothing and certainly doesn't explain the problem.

I've also noticed that I tend to be very clumsy in this state. I bump into things, knock things over and fumble things. This is often what really sets off a full brat attack. I sem to be trying to move more quickly than my body can respond to (makes sense I suppose).

I'm rarely angry AT something or someone - I'm just raw from the inside out.

In 25 years or so of diagnosis I've never gotten a good answer for this. I am aware that, as I improve in other ways I'm more aware of this problem. This also means that I've never really insisted that a dr. pay close attention to it. Also, from looking on the web today, it appears that the medical community is now paying attention to this issue.

Out of all the facets of bipolar disorder, irritability has to be the major destroyer of relationships. It must stay on the front burner.