Irritability is defined as "Quick excitability to annoyance, impatience, or anger." Anyone who has encountered someone who is irritable might even say "Immediate excitability." To dig deeper into the subject we can further define excitability as "the state of being abnormally responsive to slight stimuli, or unduly sensitive." So it is safe to say that excited doesn't always come with a positive context. It is in this dual context gray area is where we take a look at the irritability that accompanies bipolar disorder.
Since we're sticking with definitions in these early posts, and mania is one of the hardest things for people to understand about bipolar disorder, we will look at the irritability that accompanies mania first. The definition for mania is as follows: mental illness marked by periods of great excitement, euphoria, delusions, and over-activity. There's that excitement again. If the excitement that accompanies mania is not based in happiness or good memories (dysphoric), then it can lead to irritability on a level most people aren't used to.
Dysphoric mania is defined as follows: a combination of mania and agitated depression that is also known as mixed mania. Those of us that are more prone to depression often have dysphoric mania. And it is dangerous. Because of the added agitated depression that accompanies the hard to control impulses that come with mania, people in a mixed mania state can seem over-inflated in their anger or irritability. We "blow up" at the tiniest little things, often without knowing we are doing it. The tone in our voice is different, the look on our face is different, and the people who know us best can tell. We are manic, but this is no ordinary mania.
This irritability comes with malice and exasperation. We will say damaging things and then often not even remember what we are saying. It is only natural that the person we are irritated at right then will take what we say and do personally. If we return to our natural state and look back on the things that happened during our mania, this will be one of the first things we feel guilty for. The way we hurt others simply because we are overstimulated and our brains go into over-drive.
This irritability comes with malice and exasperation. We will say damaging things and then often not even remember what we are saying. It is only natural that the person we are irritated at right then will take what we say and do personally. If we return to our natural state and look back on the things that happened during our mania, this will be one of the first things we feel guilty for. The way we hurt others simply because we are overstimulated and our brains go into over-drive.
Mania is kind of a funny thing when you look at it. I mean, depression is depression for the most part, but mania can start as all kinds of awesome looking fun until you realize you're curled up in a ball on the floor shaking and wondering what the hell you just did.
Euphoric mania is described as this: wonderful, beautiful, unbelievable, fantastic and expansive. No one can understand until they've experienced it. You feel invincible. Like the best cocaine you've ever done without the drip and coming down so early. A lot of times you feel sexier, hornier, and more alive then all the depressed days combined. This type of mania normally does not include irritability unless someone is trying to boss you around or tell you that something is wrong with you. In my opinion, even though people may like you most during this stage, it is the most destructive.
To wrap everything up, let me finish with this: Knowing and/or loving someone with bipolar isn't always easy and irritability is one of the biggest complaints that I hear. Hopefully this post helps you understand a little bit more about why we are irritable and what the different causes and meanings can be. Again, please be patient with us. Most of us are trying our best.
Euphoric mania is described as this: wonderful, beautiful, unbelievable, fantastic and expansive. No one can understand until they've experienced it. You feel invincible. Like the best cocaine you've ever done without the drip and coming down so early. A lot of times you feel sexier, hornier, and more alive then all the depressed days combined. This type of mania normally does not include irritability unless someone is trying to boss you around or tell you that something is wrong with you. In my opinion, even though people may like you most during this stage, it is the most destructive.
To wrap everything up, let me finish with this: Knowing and/or loving someone with bipolar isn't always easy and irritability is one of the biggest complaints that I hear. Hopefully this post helps you understand a little bit more about why we are irritable and what the different causes and meanings can be. Again, please be patient with us. Most of us are trying our best.
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