[leomama]

I find it hard to believe that irritability can be a sign of mania. I’m often irritated. I get why my p doc dx me with bp mixed moderate if that’s the case.

I can understand how irritability can be a sign of mania, but I hate how that means if someone with bipolar is irritable that MUST mean he/she is manic.
I'm often irritated as well, but most of the time it's not even because of mania. It could be from PMS, a bad night's sleep, stress, or a billion other things. Just because I lash out once in a while doesn't make me manic.
However, when I am manic I do experienced a more severe, consistent irritability. If I'm still frustrated with everything even after running 10 miles and am acting out more, I know that's associated with the mania.

[tecomsin]

Until my diagnosis of bipolar, I had thought that my irritability was a personality trait rather than a sign of disorder. Nowadays if I show any indication that I am not deeply depressed the people around me will assume I am manic.

[leomama]

My primary dx used to be ptsd . Now apparently it’s bp. I ran into my p doc today. I wanted to confront him instead I told him the schedule hasn’t been posted yet and I’ll let him know when it is. I have to get lab work done this week.

[still_crazy]

ugh. "irritability." "argumentative" "combative."

look, my old psych records from way back when are an alphabet soup. In an odd way, being labeled with "bipolar I" has been something of a blessing. "Crazy" enough for treatment, not "crazy" enough for involuntary treatment and/or hospitalization.

anyway...there's also rapport, or lack thereof to deal with. some shrinks power trip. some are assholes. some are misogynistic, homophobic, elitist, racist, etc. happens. i try to remember that when i get irritated with mental health people.

[leomama]

I accept my bp dx until I talk to my p doc

[Row Jimmy]

For me, mania and anger have always been connected. When I'm up, I go until I can't handle it anymore, then I crash into a wall. Then I get angry. Then the cycle starts again after some period of normalcy......although I really can't define "normal" anymore.

[*Laurie*]

If I'm irritable, I'm quick to anger and the anger turns to rage and fury so fast I can barely keep up with it. Being irritable is not my "normal" self; it's when I'm manic that the irritability starts happening. As soon as I feel chronically testy I have learned to accept that I'm becoming manic.

I think much of this has to do with your baseline...how you are when you're at your most normal.

[leomama]

I have no idea what normal is for me, I’m irritable under stress and pressure, and when dealing with people.

[~Christina]

Irritation is one of my major indicators of a mood shift. Sucks

[Wander]

When stable I am a fairly calm person. Something significant has to occur for me to be irritated and it generally passes quickly. However when hypo/manic or mixed my irritability is constant and almost out of control. Today I woke up irritable and it’s only getting worse. This is after being calm for many days. Now I afraid I’m heading into an episode and other signs are appearing too.

[scatterbrained04]

The way I tell the difference between normal irritability and mood shift irritability is how bad it is and how long it lasts. Usually if it's mood related it is pretty intense and lasts for more than one day. And my mood related irritability has no cause I can point to (for example, lack of sleep).

[NolaMae]

Extreme irritability, anger, feeling keyed up, and insomnia are signs that I'm manic. Unfortunately, I haven't experienced the euphoria and productiveness that a lot of people do. I'm just mean to my husband and others. I hate it.

[Leia78]

Originally Posted by NolaMae

Extreme irritability, anger, feeling keyed up, and insomnia are signs that I'm manic. Unfortunately, I haven't experienced the euphoria and productiveness that a lot of people do. I'm just mean to my husband and others. I hate it.

Your mania sounds like mine. I never ever have euphoric mania. It's either mixed or like you describe. I hate it, too. Dysphoric is all I get.

[LadyShadow]

Yes, yes and yes. I fly off at a whim just for the smallest things sometimes.

"I dropped the same thing 10 times" UGH - Level 1

"The time is running short and I have so much to do and things aren't happening fast enough." UGH - Level 2

"I am trying to get comfortable and no matter what I do, I just CAN'T" UGHHHHH - Level 3

Then I spin and spin till I start having a total fit, and all gets shot to hell.

The funny thing is, I am unsure if this is mania, bipolar, or just me being a violent, impatient asshole EXACTLY like how my father is, and he passed down that lovely gem of a personality trait to me.

And..............its currently 4am and I have to get up early. UGH. UGH. UGH.

[leomama]

I thought it was normal to be irritable . Apparently not. Everything irritates me sometimes like now when I have a day off from work but have to go to church and didn’t get enough sleep last night.

[Gabyunbound]

Originally Posted by leomama

I thought it was normal to be irritable . Apparently not. Everything irritates me sometimes like now when I have a day off from work but have to go to church and didn’t get enough sleep last night.

It could be that irritability is 'normal' for you, in other words, your baseline. If other people or situations are triggering you, it may just be the way you are. In this case, therapy may help. If it's a sign of mania, I would look for other manic symptoms, such as hugely increased energy and little to no need for sleep, to see if it's part of an episode.

[Unrigged64072835]

I have to look at the root of my irritability first, because I also get irritable when I'm depressed. Then it's more like "leave me alone". If I'm impatient and wired, then it's more on the upward side.