[xRavenx]

What has been helpful with irritability?

I seem to be having a bit of a mixed mood lately... somedays I do not feel like doing anything, whereas other days I have a lot of different ideas. The one symptom that seems to stand out the most though is irritability. I feel so easily annoyed by things and people. Everything feels like a huge deal.

I also get intrusive thoughts that the people closest to me are going to do something to take advantage of me in some way where in the moment it feels real, although right now I am able to rationalize.

I don't want to be in this mindset, especially since I do not want to take anything out on others and worry that this is going to become a serious problem. As far as psych meds go, I'm on lamictal, Latuda, Seroquel, and klonopin.

Thank you.

[Aurelius710]

I can relate to both, especially the intrusive thoughts of implied malice. For me, it usually manifested at work. Any interaction that wasn't completely positive or baseline neutral was proof positive that I'm about to be disciplined, written up and/or fired. For what? Who knows? They'll think of something. Of course, for me, it didn't help that I've been blindsided more than once by coworkers who had an bone to pick with me and spun a convincing enough yarn to get management on their side to punish me for my misdeeds. Obviously past situations don't predict future scenarios, but it's hard not to be hypersensitive to the signals people give.

The thing that worked best for me in that situation was adopting a "Let them fire the first shot." mentality. I'm never able to completely shake that disordered thinking when it's there, but I don't want to express that thinking in most situations as it just turns people against you, reinforcing the original intrusive thoughts.

If I'm not being paranoid and someone's really out to get me, letting them lay it all out there gives me something tangible to answer rather than throwing out wild speculation.

As far as irritability goes, I work in a specialized forward facing customer service job. I've got my fair share of irritability. The way I combat it is through a large amount of compartmentalization. What is this irritation? Why is it irritating? Is it situational? If it's something that need to be addressed, can it wait for the end of the day?

Basically, I have loads of mental sorting baskets to ensure I don't get too irritated or flustered.

[insideoutsider]

Originally Posted by xRavenx

What has been helpful with irritability?

I seem to be having a bit of a mixed mood lately... somedays I do not feel like doing anything, whereas other days I have a lot of different ideas. The one symptom that seems to stand out the most though is irritability. I feel so easily annoyed by things and people. Everything feels like a huge deal.

I also get intrusive thoughts that the people closest to me are going to do something to take advantage of me in some way where in the moment it feels real, although right now I am able to rationalize.

Thank you.

In the moment it's easy to turn things into a big deal. Personally, I start analyzing the situation, visualizing possible outcomes, trying to get inside the head of others (perspective taking for self defense not necessarily intending to be malicious).

Everyone annoys me to some degree. Realizing people aren't perfect, most people aren't self aware, most people honestly just don't care as much as I think. Thinking these, especially the second one about self awareness, allows me to let go of ideas that I try connecting dots that usually are just not there.

However, sometimes I do find interesting connections. Sometimes it actually helps me, as at times I can be more in tune to my surroundings. But it's hard to not over rotate to the point where I'm thinking on an abstract level beyond what's even going o in the moment..

For me I need balance

Originally Posted by Aurelius710

I The thing that worked best for me in that situation was adopting a "Let them fire the first shot." mentality. I'm never able to completely shake that disordered thinking when it's there, but I don't want to express that thinking in most situations as it just turns people against you, reinforcing the original intrusive thoughts.

Yes that helps me too, the idea of "first shot" - you alluded to listening before talking/acting/over thinking

When I react to how I perceive others to perceive me.. which is wild that I even think it through that far, I end up fulfilling their prophecy.

For example, someone sees me relaxing and sort of in a way tests to see if I'm actually relaxed or actually anxious.. that will make me anxious. So now I'm thinking about this person clocking me when I otherwise wouldn't be even considering their existence.

My ability to disconnect from that though is good.. it's as if I can see a situation while simultaneously being genuine in my actions at the same time. It takes a lot of practice. I realize this is sort of off topic but for me I wanted to mention it

[JaneOnceMore]

I think about the pain the other person must be in. I believe most people behave badly because they are in pain.