Seemingly random, intense irritability. Causes and "treatment".

I'll go ahead and start with a TL;DR: I get 15-45 minute random bouts of irritability. I would like to know what is causing them, and ways to have them pass more quickly.

This has to happen to many others here. I get bouts of what I believe are completely random irritability. I am just pissed. I'm kinda pissed right now. Wanna fight about it? Don't test me, please.

Kidding aside, I'm 40, and I have a lot of mental issues going on (clinical depression, general anxiety disorder, PTSD, ADHD, alcoholism (~100 days sober (woo), anger issues (duh) and probably other shit too)). However, I am finally at a place where I think my meds might be the most "dialed in" that they ever have been, my overall health is average-good, I'm a kind and friendly person, and I have generally been a pretty fuckin happy camper for the past couple of weeks. Not exercising a ton, but I'm not sedentary by any means either. Above average movement and physical exertion.

I still get these random (from my perspective) little periods that last probably around 15-30 minutes on average where I am just angry. Mad at everything. Madvillainy. My dog just looked at me funny. How dare he? Fuck him. Asshole. I'm obviously joking, because I love my dog, and he is the best dog ever. BUT, I want to possibly break shit and maybe hurt someone's feelings for no reason. This is how I feel.

The point is, this isnt real anger. I am just heightened. It's almost like it is more physical than mental. Like my blood is boiling, but there's nothing to cook.

I guess this could obviously be called "emotional dysregulatoon", which is a big part of ADHD and other things for me. It could also be called IED, Intermittent Explosive Disorder.

I do pretty good job coping with these little bouts with stuff like breathing exercises, meditation, music, positive thinking, exercise, not talking to anyone, short walks, etc. These things help, but they don't just totally put a stop to it, or really come close, either.

Google tells me that thesse things are often symptoms of ADHD, Bipolarn Disorder (>98% sure I am not bipolar), and PTSD. So I am batting .666 there. I'm currently medicated with an SNRI (Duloxetine, anti-depressant), Vyvanse (stimulant for ADHD), Gabapentin (anxiety, mood) and propanolol (As needed for anxiety/overwhelm, Great medication btw, started it about a month ago. Recommend it I do. Talk to your doctor n' shit). I also take D3+K2 and vitamin B-12 daily/often, and my diet is pretty okay. Not terrible, not great. My sleep is about the same. I stay well hydrated.

As I am writing this, it just now started to fade. Probably lasted almost exactly 30 minutes so far.

I would love to get a better idea of what is causing this from a mental/physical perspective, and ways to have it pass more quickly. It happens about 3-5 times a week I would guess. It has been happening to me for years. At least a decade+. Maybe lifetime. I'm not sure.

Thank you to anyone who read all or most of this. Have a wonderful day ya filthy animals! Love yourselves and others! Scared money don't make none!

Peace!😎

Posted Mar 8, 2026, 1:22 PM UTC

11
Loading comments…