Ever have days when you feel like something’s wrong but you’re not sure what it is — or why? This tends to be a common human experience. Yet some of us have that “wrong” feeling nearly every day. Constant irritability can get in the way of many things — work, school, relationships or even enjoying life. Fortunately, viable solutions to this problem exist. Keep reading to learn about irritability signs and symptoms plus some useful and accessible therapeutic options.
Signs Of Irritability
Irritability can look a little different in children, teenagers and adults. However, it can manifest in a few similar ways at any age. If you’re contending with it yourself, or if you have a younger family member who struggles with irritability, you may notice a few common symptoms:
- Agitation or short-tempered disposition
- Emotional outbursts
- Oversensitivity
- Lack of concentration
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty with changing plans
Irritability can also show up as physical symptoms. You may feel as if your heart’s racing, for instance, or notice tension in your muscles. Other signs include excessive sweating, faster breathing, and fatigue.
Recognizing How You Feel
Observing symptoms like these can help you understand that something’s wrong. The next step is acknowledging the problem. Irritability itself doesn’t merit a value judgment. The key is getting to its root cause.
Lots of physical issues can lead to irritability. Premenstrual syndrome, low blood sugar, and stress are a few common triggers. But it can also stem from brain activity. Mood disorders like depression can include irritability as a major symptom. Anxiety disorders also commonly involve irritability — and that’s no surprise, given that your arousal is “stuck on” because your brain believes that you’re in danger.
Irritability is also common in some neurodivergent individuals, particularly autistic people and those impacted by ADHD. Emotional dysregulation is a factor. Strong, intense emotions may feel overwhelming. You may even struggle to manage these feelings in constructive ways.1
Brain Proteins and Irritability
While these are all different causes of irritability, they can have one common underlying similarity: neural activity in the frontal-striatal area of the brain. This region houses systems and structures that help with executive functioning, especially impulse control and attention.
There’s a protein called S100B that helps regulate brain processes and neuron communication. But too much can be a bad thing, leading to excessive neural activity that triggers irritability. Believe it or not, a popular mild anxiety medication over the counter can counteract irritability. Brilla contains an antibody of S100B, which specifically binds to that protein. This brings S100B levels back to optimal levels, relieving irritability and the symptoms that go with it.
A Safe, Effective Solution
Everyone’s physiology is a little different. But most human bodies and brains share the same complexities, including how they function and the underlying processes that make them work. A mysterious protein in the brain, S100B, holds the key to irritability problems in many people. And as an impactful non-prescription over-the-counter solution, Brilla combats excessive levels of that protein to bring it back into balance. Check out some Brilla reviews to see how it’s helped both adults and children manage irritability and feel better.
