When I'm irritable, I have this uncanny ability to throw verbal daggers at my loved ones. I know my loved ones where I know how to hurt them in the worst way imaginable. For a long time, I chalked it up to my ability to have a deep understanding of the human experience, a desire to be truthful and honest with others- but it really served as a mechanism to ensure that I could continue the upper hand. So for me- I have to recognize that I'm irritable and most of the time- getting myself to sleep is the only way I can get out of it. Fortunately- I am on medication that has greatly reduced the irritability- but I do have to keep an eye on my stress level and make sure that I'm taking good care of myself.

One of the hardest decisions that I had to make for managing my irritability long term was to distance myself from a family member. She has the mindset "fight fire with fire" and would go out of her way to provoke me since she has the same irritability issues that I have. I had to make it clear that I couldn't handle her negativity- and that I needed to keep myself healthy. She didn't take the news well, and has kept me from her kids. It hurts but I understand that she has every right to make that decision as a mother.

With irritability- you have to understand the behaviors that you are driven to do that you simply wouldn't do otherwise. Once you pinpoint those actions and behaviors, it gets easier to manage. Sometimes it can be as simple as having too much caffeine in your system- other people are driven to irritability by having compulsive thoughts.