[kala83]

when i get manic I become really irritable and it easy for me to snap at people out of the blue over thing most other people can just shrug off as no big deal.

yet its such a vicious cycle in of itself cause my being irritable so easily only make me more irritated that I am behaving like that in the first place.

For the last few days i am noticing that my behavior has been going in this direction.....and I am trying really hard to nip it in the *** right now so it does not continue anymore.

[Flummixed]

I also have this issue so I can understand how you feel. My irritability was in part what drove me to seek mental help to begin with as my wife was getting understandably tired of my behavior. I always try to hide out in the garage for an hour or two to calm down. Doesn't always work but usually. I find I just need some time alone so I'll go to the gym as well. I hope you can find something to help ease your stresses.

[wildflowerchild25]

I'm sooooo with you. I've been outright mean to my husband for months because I get irritable on both ends of the pole. I thought I was stable for awhile there but looking back I my have been hypomanic.

The only thing I've found that works is take a deep breath and then respond. Gives me a chance to think about my tone and how I say things. If I have to remove myself from the situation I try to do that. Of course it doesn't help much in full blown mania, but I managed to cut my nastiness down by at least 25% which is a start.

[MotherMarcus]

Originally Posted by kala83

when i get manic I become really irritable and it easy for me to snap at people out of the blue over thing most other people can just shrug off as no big deal.

yet its such a vicious cycle in of itself cause my being irritable so easily only make me more irritated that I am behaving like that in the first place.

For the last few days i am noticing that my behavior has been going in this direction.....and I am trying really hard to nip it in the *** right now so it does not continue anymore.

Been there, done that. Sick and tired of being sick and tired.

[kala83]

even when i am on meds it does not always help the issue and it sucks cause that is what everyone tells you to do...lol its like ok I did what you told me too NOW WHAT

[crazycatlady_83]

I get angry all the time, it seems like. When it's not too bad, I can just step away from the situation. Usually I just tell my husband or kids that I'm done talking to them and leave the room. If we're in the car, then I just stop talking to them and ignore them the best I can. But when it gets bad, it's almost like I go looking to start an argument with them, even my kids who are young. The smallest thing will trigger me and I'll snap and yell and scream at them, pretty much for no reason. It sucks and I know it's affecting my kids negatively. I'll make them cry and keep going.

[Theseus]

Yep, I'm on a hair trigger too, especially lately. T-doc says to step back and take a deep breath. It's hard to remember, but it's important. Sometimes I can remember to do it, a lot of times I can't.

[almondjoy]

You're not the only one. I'm sick and tired of being like this, too. That's why I came to this forum in the first place - I was out of control and had come back to reality only to realise how badly I had been treating my husband/family. I was TERRIBLE. It's going to take a while for my husband in particular to heal from some of the things I said/did. I don't really know what works for me yet, I need to work on controlling myself in those situations.. But hey, I'm here if you ever need to talk to someone about it, too. It helps to have people to talk to in those times (sometimes I just want to rip their heads off, but y'know...)

[grandmaof3]

You definitely aren't alone. Sometimes I'm a TERRIBLE person and I struggle to undo damage I've done to relationships. Its hard to explain to people that I really can't help it sometimes and that I am truly sorry for my behavior. I have no idea why my husband hasn't left me after all the times I exploded at him over stupid petty little crap. My pdoc has told me time and again to take an Ativan the moment I start feeling irritable to prevent going into a black rage. I try to control it but its hard. The Ativan does help me stay calm when I take it. Going for a brisk walk or any other exercise away from people helps too.

[pawn78]

my irritability is the number one sympton that caused me to seek out a doctor's help... I get so frickin irritable I can't stand to be around anyone,and the slightest thing sets me off.

[crazycatlady_83]

My irritability is how I got my diagnosis years ago. I got so mad at my husband for turning the wrong direction in the car, along with completely destroying the office and throwing picture frames and the laptop against the wall. I went in for that, and my general doctor had me take a questionnaire that led to the diagnosis. I would also feel bad about what I was doing and go into a pretty serious depression for a couple days. My first time in the hospital started because I got so mad at my husband that he left. I then got depressed and called to say that I wouldn't do that to him ever again, giving him the impression I was going to end my life. He was across town so he called the sheriff's department to come to the house until he could get there.

[Ziriya2]

I feel like this periodically, too. Everything is irritating and I'll go overboard on every little thing almost like I'm looking for a fight. Then I'll be angry and ashamed for several days afterwards. I just want to be left alone during these times to center myself, but rarely am allowed to.

[Baroness4tea]

Originally Posted by kala83

when i get manic I become really irritable and it easy for me to snap at people out of the blue over thing most other people can just shrug off as no big deal.

yet its such a vicious cycle in of itself cause my being irritable so easily only make me more irritated that I am behaving like that in the first place.

For the last few days i am noticing that my behavior has been going in this direction.....and I am trying really hard to nip it in the *** right now so it does not continue anymore.

Are u getting enough sleep? It seems to help me deal with irritability if I am fully rested. Irritability sometimes drives me crazy...noise and people talking irritate me at times. The only thing that helps is to drive in the car. The sound of the car tires is soothing. Depakote usually controls my irritability, as long as I take it regularly. It is good you can notice your irritability is an issue so that you can take steps to manage it. Take care and hang in there.

[wing]

Originally Posted by crazycatlady_83

I get angry all the time, it seems like. When it's not too bad, I can just step away from the situation. Usually I just tell my husband or kids that I'm done talking to them and leave the room. If we're in the car, then I just stop talking to them and ignore them the best I can. But when it gets bad, it's almost like I go looking to start an argument with them, even my kids who are young. The smallest thing will trigger me and I'll snap and yell and scream at them, pretty much for no reason. It sucks and I know it's affecting my kids negatively. I'll make them cry and keep going.

I did the same thing when in a mixed state as my kids were growing up. Every Mother's Day I would ask them "How can I be a better mommy and they all looked frightened when they said "stop yelling". Talk about a guilt trip. My worst memories is making them scared while i went off on them. I must have looked like one of the Disney witches. They grew up ok, but when we talk about those days they joke a lot about the moments of insanity (I cringe), but never my horrible temper. I'm afraid to ask if they remember.

[Can-I-Say]

I experience the same issue during manic phases... I definitely experience more of the anger and irritability than I do grandiose feelings or "euphoria", as some people describe their manic phases to be.

I get road rage like nobody's business, and I tend to short-circuit a little at work, which is pretty sucky, because I'm a CNA, where patience is needed in spades.