[bipolarbearcub]

I'm having a lot of "irritability" issues.
Long story short: I was recently diagnosed BPII after being previously diagnosed with GAD and "mild depression" and prescribed Paxil (20 mg). I stayed on Paxil for about a year before seeking out the help of a psychiatrist because I felt like my meds weren't working anymore - I was more depressed than I had ever been, and having suicidal thoughts. So, I've been off Paxil completely for almost a week (I was tapering, got down to 10mg, but the doc said I could just stop taking them since I had been on such a low dose and hadn't been experience the common super widthrawl symptoms) and I started taking Lamictal last Thursday.

Anyways, since the diagnosis (which sometimes I am able to accept and other times not), I have been feeling incredibly irritable. I "hate" everything and I think everyone is "so stupid." It's not like, "Oh, that's annoying. Can you please stop?" It's more like "What the hell is wrong with you! Stop doing that! Why are you so stupid and inconsiderate? I hate you forever leave me alone bye!" Hopefully you get what I'm saying... I am MORE than annoyed and it is exhausting mentally, physically and in my heart (which I guess would be physically, but I feel like there needs to be a distinction there). The littlest things set me off and I get caught in the endless loop of thinking about how dumb they are and how I wish they would leave me the F alone...
For example: my sister, whom I love dearly, called me four times back to back on Saturday because she wanted me to tune into something on TV. We've talked before about how much I hate talking on the phone (another long story) and how I don't like when people call me repeatedly for non-emergencies (but I mean who DOES like that?). So I answer the phone on the fifth call and when I figured out what she was calling me for... Let's just say that if she was near me at that moment (even a short drive away) I think I honestly could have hurt her.

Idk... I just really annoyed and I feel really guilty about it. I feel like a ******. I try to keep it in so I don't offend people or hurt their feelings but it. is. so. hard. I realize that this could (and probably is) be a symptom of the medication - both the Paxil withdrawal and the new Lamictal. I know (or at least I hope) this is bipolar related because, as my therapist described it to me, bipolar II disorder is depression and irritability mixed together (like some sick and deadly combination platter that no one would ever want (lol)).
Has anyone experience severe irritability like this before? Does anyone have any tips for coping with this? I got nothing.
Thanks for reading this. Even if you don't have a suggestion, I appreciate your time.

[LettinG0]

I don't have any great advice....just wanted you to know I understand. It doesn't happen to me often, thankfully, but I get periods of extreme irritability (usually coupled with extreme anger)......I just try to avoid people....not the best coping strategy but it's the best I can do....

Hope you get lots of good advice...

[BastetsMuse]

Originally Posted by bipolarbearcub

I'm having a lot of "irritability" issues.
Thanks for reading this. Even if you don't have a suggestion, I appreciate your time.

Irritibility is a symptom of the disease. It's NOT "their" fault; it's how you are perceiving things. Talk to your doctor, check your meds -- TAKE your meds if you're not. Keep working at things. They do get better.

[detfan4life]

I also have periods of severe irritability. I find distracting myself as soon as the impulse hits can help, although it's difficult. I use games on my phone and a mindfulness app as frequently as I can to try to keep myself from feeding into the impulse. Like with my depression, the more I try not to ramp up the emotion the better I am. I don't really have any suggestions but I can understand how this feels!

[wildflowerchild25]

I get extremely irritable too, especially when in an agitated depression. It's dangerous for me because I have impulses to hurt my son when he irritates me in those states (like push him or grab him really hard). So I try to be by myself until it passes but now as a single mom that's out of the question. Now I do breathing exercises to resist saying/doing something harmful. If someone says something annoying I'll immediately take a huge breath and breathe it out slowly, which gives me some extra seconds to avoid doing my impulse.

[BlackSheep79]

I do not have any advice. Being extremely irritable is always my first sign of hypomania. I can't stand stupid people, road rage, etc. Just letting you know it is common.

[~Christina]

When all the normal coping skills have failed and I am going to explode, I buy a few cheap cheap ugly plates or whatever at a thrift store and smash the shyt out of them. Always helps me . If I dont want to clean up a mess after wards I just put one in a plastic bag and smash away.

Might sound silly , but id rather break some ugly junk than something important or take my anger out on other people.

I hope your feeling better soon !