Just so irritable!

Hey is it just me or do any other people with BPD just feel like they are at a 10 when it comes to irritability? That seems to be something I am noticing a lot lately. I try to think of what it could be and acknowlege it but it just doesn't seem to go away with out doing some of my "behaviors". What to do? Why do I always feel irritable?

Yes! I have often been so irritable that I could barely stand it and I just wanted to scream!! I felt like I was PMSing, but all the time!! My anti-depressant has actually helped a lot with my irritability. I still get irritable, but not to the degree I was previously. I really think it was something chemical. I know it's not usually as simple as just taking meds, but with the irritibility, that is one area where medication has really helped me. Are you on any meds at all?

Wishing you the very best!

Sundog,
Yes I am on Lamictyl (mood stabilizer) cymbalta (antidepressant) seroquel (antipsychotic) ambien (for sleep) and levothyroxine (for thyroid) I haven't seen my pdoc in a while but I don't like to tell her that it isn't working because it seems like I am always having to switch medications and that makes me feel like I am failing. I am guessing that there is a balance between meds and therapy that us with bpd have to manage quite vigilantly. I wish I knew what to do about this......

I'm sorry the irritability is so bad and hasn't responded to meds. I know what you mean about not wanting to switch meds. For me it's more just the stress of tapering off something and introducing something new and not knowing if it will help or make things worse. I definitely don't think you are failing if you switch meds though (((((Kacey)))). It is hard to find the right combo and it can take a lot of trial and error (which sucks!)

Other things that help me sometimes are exercise (I go running and I find that is a powerful way to use up some of my anger energy). Or, at the other end of the spectrum, something like meditation, or even just some basic relaxation exercises can help us unwind a bit.

I really hope you're able to find some relief.

"Why am I so irritable?" is an excellent question. Finding the underlying cause is the key to relief. Are you and your therapist exploring your anger to learn more about how that works for you, where it comes from, what fears are part of it?

Echoes,
I did have a T appointment today which I haven't been for a long time since my T has been on vacation. I did report my irritability to be at an all time greatest high. As bad as it was 3 years ago before I ever started therapy. He said he was curious about it and we tried to explore it but it just didn't click. I feel pretty disconnected to him since we haven't seen each other in so long. Trying to salvage the T relationship and then maybe I can trust enough to ask for help to figure out. Sure would like some relief.

You can talk about it more next time.
It is often hard to reconnect after a long break and sometimes the first session or two after a break is needed for reconnecting.
I wonder if the break is related to your irritability?

I am very irritable and have BPD. I just cannot seem to stop being so mad and such! When my fiance talks to me and I am irritable, I call him names, insult him, etc!!! how have you guys been able to deal with the irritable way of feeling? Any recovery tools or anything that you guys would like to share that helps you

Problem is that if we, the BPD(ers), really say what we feel, the normal people will lock us up. You can vent here. No judging, just say what you feel. I had a social worker threaten to lock me up for three day at the VA when she felt I wasn't answering her honestly. She also wanted me to find God. Right! Thanks for the BPD God.