Agitation and impatience are definitely moods I experience when I am on my way to hypo/mania. Yes, irritablitity will become an underlying feeling and will increase in its frequency. If I can find someway to ease these feelings I can usually head of what may come next. I will avoid group situations that may trigger my being 'ticked off'.

While my CBT tools are to help me with Anxiety, I have found some of the coping skills help me with the agitation too - especially those that deal with jumping to conclusions.