It’s a survival mechanism,” she says. “It can push us to take action when something is not going our way.”
But sometimes, irritability can spiral out of control. Chronic stress, lack of sleep, and certain medical conditions can all exacerbate our irritability, Perlis says. When left unchecked, chronic irritability can lead to strained relationships, poor work performance, and even chronic health conditions like high blood pressure.
Finding relief from irritability
To manage irritability, Perlis recommends a combination of self-care strategies and professional help.
One way to combat irritability is through mindfulness practices like meditation and deep breathing exercises. These techniques can help calm the mind and body, making it easier to respond to frustrating situations in a more measured way.
Exercise is another powerful tool for managing irritability. Physical activity releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood boosters, which can help reduce stress and improve overall emotional well-being.
In some cases, irritability may be a sign of an underlying mental health condition like depression or anxiety. In these instances, seeking help from a mental health professional is crucial. Therapy can help individuals get to the root of their irritability and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that irritability is a normal human emotion. By understanding its triggers and developing healthy ways to cope, it’s possible to manage irritability and lead a more balanced, fulfilling life. It is something people can learn to manage, but sometimes, some people will need additional help to learn to manage it.” Roy Perlis Psychiatrist, Massachusetts General Hospital
However, irritability can be a cause for concern when it causes someone distress. It can be upsetting to spend one’s day grumbling or having uncontrollable anger outbursts, Perlis says.
“Someone who is so irritable that they start arguments with coworkers, or even people they encounter on their way to work, is someone where we might consider the irritability to be pathological,” Perlis says. If people often find themselves thinking, “I wish I hadn’t said that, I wish I hadn’t done that,” Perlis says, “that’s one red flag.”
Clinical psychologist Maria Gröndal of Sweden’s University of Gothenburg has observed great distress among women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, who often suffer from extreme irritability before their period begins. Many get into heated arguments with their partners or children. And when they do try to contain their temper, this can take a lot of energy and interfere with their ability to focus on work or other tasks, Gröndal says.
How irritability looks in the brain
What makes some adults more prone to extreme irritability than others is still a mystery. But some clues may come from studies in younger people.
The brains’ threat- and reward-processing systems seem to operate differently in children and adolescents with high irritability. In a 2018 study in American Journal of Psychiatry, Tseng and her colleagues had 195 children and teenagers play a computer game that was designed to frustrate them by unfairly subtracting points. Compared with even-tempered kids, the brains of those with irritable tendencies showed a heightened activity in the striatum, a key reward-processing region, when they became frustrated.
The team also found unusual responses in brain regions important for executing tasks, which helps explain why moody kids have a hard time focusing when they’re frustrated. Other research has documented unusual activity in the amygdala — the brain’s threat-processing center — in highly irritable kids.
While scientists are still scrutinizing the brains of irritable adults, research so far suggests that the same brain regions are involved. “What we see is that the brain circuits related to reward and threat are implicated,” says Manish Jha, a psychiatrist at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
What causes these kinds of brain responses is still not clear, but research points to underlying health conditions as one possible factor. Irritability has been likened to a fever — a general sign that something in the brain or body is out of balance, such as in many mental health disorders, Gröndal says. For instance, about half of adults who have depression — and up to 90 percent of youth with anxiety — report being highly irritable.
These conditions may often occur together because irritability — which is moderately heritable — arises from the same genetic factors as depression and anxiety. Or, it could have to do with the fact that all three conditions have been linked to dysfunctions in people’s threat and reward systems, Tseng says.
Notably, frequent irritability is a risk factor for developing suicidal thoughts, Jha and colleagues reported in 2020 in Neuropsychopharmacology. It’s such a reliable factor, in fact, that Jha is exploring using irritability as a way of gauging the risk of depressed people experiencing an increase in suicidal thoughts. Irritability also pops up in conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder, and in women undergoing hormonal fluctuations, including during the period leading up to menopause.
Problematic anger tendencies in general — including irritability — are also common in people who have experienced traumatic events such as physical abuse and get “stuck” in feelings of anger, says Olivia Metcalf, a behavioral scientist at the University of Melbourne in Australia.
Perlis notes, though, that extreme irritability doesn’t always signal a deeper mental health condition; in some cases it could just boil down to temperament. In his survey, a small percentage of people who didn’t have anxiety or depression, for instance, were extremely irritable. Factors like being sick, stressed, sleep-deprived, hungry, in pain, lonely or in the process of giving up smoking, can also make people cranky or exacerbate irritability in those who are already moody. And Perlis recently documented a strong association between irritability and social media use, perhaps in part because excessive scrolling could make people feel worse.
Relieving irritability
Whatever the underlying cause, scientists have recognized the importance of finding treatments for people with impairing levels of irritability.
Some researchers are investigating a nose spray containing the “love hormone” oxytocin, which has shown some promise in treating certain irritable kids and teens ages 10 to 18 years. Tseng, meanwhile, is currently testing a technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation — placing a coil around people’s heads that releases magnetic pulses — to restore normal activity in reward-processing brain regions.
For now, Jha recommends anyone with severe irritability to see a mental health professional to get a full psychiatric evaluation to see if they have underlying mental health conditions; treating these can often help reduce crankiness.
In a 2020 study, Jha and his colleagues observed that giving depressed adults antidepressants not only lowered their irritability symptoms, but — perhaps by virtue of lowering their irritability, Jha suspects — subsequently also their levels of suicidal ideation.
Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors also have proven remarkably useful in reducing aggressive behavior in PMDD–afflicted women when they receive the medications in the days leading up to their period, says Gröndal. Her 2025 study found the treatment was especially effective in women who tended to express their anger outwardly rather than bottling it up.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a kind of talk therapy, can also help treat irritability by teaching people to pick up on early signs of anger and find constructive ways to manage their aggressive impulses, Perlis says.
Metcalf has found promise for an even simpler approach. In a 2025 study in JMIR Human Factors, she and her colleagues gave 98 anger-prone trauma survivors a smartphone app that prompted them four times a day to evaluate their anger levels. Individuals struggling with problem anger have found success in managing their emotions through self-reflection and the use of wearable devices to track physiological indicators of stress. By monitoring their heart rate and blood pressure, individuals can identify patterns and signs of increasing anger and take proactive steps to calm themselves down.
Rather than focusing solely on external triggers, individuals are encouraged to look inward and recognize the early signs of anger episodes. By practicing self-awareness and mindfulness, individuals can better understand their emotional and physical responses to stress. This heightened awareness allows them to implement coping strategies such as deep breathing exercises, removing themselves from triggering situations, or reframing their perspective on the actions of others.
Setting regular reminders to check in with their mental and physical state can help individuals catch escalating anger before it reaches a boiling point. By identifying subtle cues like muscle tension, teeth grinding, or chest tightness, individuals can intervene early and prevent anger outbursts.
In addition to internal factors, external influences like hunger or lack of sleep can also contribute to irritability. By addressing these underlying issues, individuals can better regulate their emotions and prevent anger from escalating.
It’s important to recognize that experiencing irritability or anger does not reflect a character flaw. With the right tools and support, individuals can learn to manage their emotions effectively. Seeking help from mental health professionals or support hotlines like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can provide additional guidance and resources for those struggling with anger issues.
Overall, by incorporating self-reflection, mindfulness practices, and the use of wearable technology, individuals can take proactive steps towards managing their anger and improving their overall well-being. The Rise of Sustainable Fashion: How Ethical Practices are Shaping the Industry
In recent years, the fashion industry has been undergoing a transformation towards more sustainable and ethical practices. This shift is driven by consumer demand for transparency, accountability, and environmental responsibility from brands. As a result, many fashion companies are adopting sustainable practices in their production processes, sourcing materials responsibly, and ensuring fair wages and working conditions for garment workers.
One of the key drivers of this change is the growing awareness of the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry. The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, with the production of clothing contributing to water pollution, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the fast fashion model, which relies on cheap labor and quick turnarounds, often leads to exploitation of garment workers in developing countries.
In response to these issues, many fashion brands are now focusing on sustainability as a core value. This includes using eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and hemp, as well as implementing sustainable production processes like water recycling and energy efficiency. By reducing their environmental footprint, these brands are not only helping to protect the planet but also appealing to the growing number of environmentally conscious consumers.
In addition to environmental sustainability, ethical practices are also gaining importance in the fashion industry. Many consumers are now demanding transparency in the supply chain, wanting to know where and how their clothes are made. Brands that can demonstrate fair labor practices, such as paying living wages and ensuring safe working conditions, are gaining a competitive edge in the market.
Furthermore, the rise of social media and digital activism has made it easier for consumers to hold brands accountable for their actions. Campaigns such as #whomademyclothes and Fashion Revolution Week have raised awareness about the need for a more ethical and transparent fashion industry. As a result, many brands are now taking steps to improve their supply chain transparency and accountability.
Overall, the rise of sustainable fashion is a positive trend that is reshaping the industry for the better. By adopting eco-friendly materials, sustainable production processes, and ethical practices, fashion brands are not only reducing their impact on the environment but also improving the lives of garment workers around the world. As consumers continue to prioritize sustainability and ethics in their purchasing decisions, it is clear that the future of fashion is green and ethical. The world of technology is constantly evolving, and with each passing day, new advancements are being made that revolutionize the way we live, work, and communicate. One such advancement that has gained a lot of attention in recent years is the development of artificial intelligence (AI). AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans.
One of the key areas where AI has made a significant impact is in the field of healthcare. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered by improving diagnostic accuracy, enhancing treatment outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs. AI-powered tools can analyze large amounts of data in a fraction of the time it would take a human to do so, helping doctors make faster and more accurate diagnoses.
In addition to improving diagnostic accuracy, AI can also help healthcare providers personalize treatment plans for patients. By analyzing a patient’s medical history, genetic information, and other relevant data, AI can recommend the most effective treatment options based on the individual’s unique characteristics. This personalized approach to healthcare can lead to better outcomes for patients and reduce the likelihood of adverse reactions to treatment.
Another area where AI is having a big impact in healthcare is in the field of medical imaging. AI-powered imaging tools can analyze medical images, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, to detect abnormalities and assist radiologists in making more accurate diagnoses. This can help healthcare providers detect diseases at an earlier stage, leading to better treatment outcomes and potentially saving lives.
AI is also being used to improve the efficiency of healthcare operations. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can help patients schedule appointments, access medical information, and communicate with healthcare providers, reducing the burden on administrative staff and improving the overall patient experience. AI can also help healthcare providers optimize their workflows, improve resource allocation, and reduce wait times for patients.
While the potential benefits of AI in healthcare are immense, there are also challenges that need to be addressed. One of the biggest concerns is the need to protect patient privacy and ensure that AI-powered tools are used in a responsible and ethical manner. There are also concerns about the potential for bias in AI algorithms and the need to ensure that AI is used to complement, rather than replace, human healthcare providers.
Despite these challenges, the future of AI in healthcare looks promising. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative AI-powered tools and solutions that will continue to improve the quality of healthcare and enhance the overall patient experience. With the right approach and careful consideration of ethical and regulatory issues, AI has the potential to transform the healthcare industry and improve the lives of patients around the world.
