Aggressive irritation is a unfortunate symptom of bipolar disorder. It often comes with a down swing or a mixed episode where you’re manic and depressed at the same time.
We all experience irritation- that’s a normal part of life. Getting cut off on the free way- rude people- crowds- long lines at the supermarket.
Aggressive irritation is much more bipolar disorder related- this irritation has a lot of strength behind it. Instead of getting irritated when we get cut off on the free way- we yell and scream, honk the horn and if particularly bad- actually chase down the person with our car. Oh yes, this happens!
If someone is rude to a person in an aggressive irritated mood swing- they had better watch out- the person with bipolar may say, “What the @$@#$#@ are you looking at! You have a problem with me!” And will then move in on them and practically growl.
Some other signs of this aggressive irritation: throwing things- such as wanting to throw your @$@!$ computer across the room when the internet won’t work. Or feeling your head twitch because you’re so angry at something.
This is NOT good stuff, but it’s common.
Bipolar medications can cause this aggressive irritation as well.- so if you’ve started a new bipolar medication and this anger shows up- talk with your doctor immediately.
An aggressive irritation mood swing a very dangerous place to be when you have bipolar disorder as you could end up in jail- after just a few minutes of blind action. You have to know the very first signs that you’re getting irritated and do something about these little signs before they turn into the aggression. If you do sports, this is a good time to really kick a ball hard or run as far as you can. Some sun salutation yoga is also a good idea. Fast walks help as well.
If you don’t do sports, breathing helps as does walking away from what causes you problems. My biggest tool is talking myself down, “Julie, this is bipolar anger and you need to deal with the bipolar. It’s a bit over the top right now, so slow down and do something for yourself instead of putting this mood swing on someone else!” I write about irritaion and anger in all of my books as it is such a destructive part of bipolar disorder.
You can also take out your aggression on a journal page- that way no one gets hurt!
Julie
PS: You can read my irritation/anger Health Card and get a good laugh. Some of the things I think and do when I’m in this mood can be pretty stupid!
This article was first printed in my newsletter. To sign up for the newsletter, please see the link below.
**
A few hours later- I just received a comment from Carolyn that is so interesting and helpful I am putting it here:
This really hit home with me….I usually see it as passive/aggressive with me…..when I am irritated, I can be soooo passive/aggressive. I just want to strike out, but do it in this way to others…..but usually I am the one who is hurt and the other person has no idea what is going on. I am so angry, irritated…..it is when I feel like I am being pushed in a corner and I need to claw my way out…. this is usually triggered by people who want to tie me up on the phone or just want to talk and talk. I have a son, who has no one but me to talk to and I am not taking charge of this situation and it triggers this reaction in me. Maybe some others will read this and see the same in themselves and maybe even offer advice, but I will probably not take it since I am in this pattern of behavior that I am having difficulty breaking. I need a therapist and have one, but my next appointment is in Sept. In the meantime, I will read my self-help books and try to do what I already know that I am supposed to do….since this is my son and these are friends who are driving me over the cliff, I find it difficult cutting off this behavior that is so damaging to me. Makes my bipolar worst. Thanks for giving me a chance to make a comment. Thank you for your blog.
Carolyn
Reader comment: bipolar disorder and spirituality
Friday, August 28th, 2009I just received the following comment from Janette. I often then of the difference between mania and religious/spiritual feelings. It can be so hard to tell the difference. This is also true with the Tarot, psychic readings and anything else that connects to the spiritual world.
No matter what you believe or don’t believe, the facts are that people with mania can have what feels like a magnificent religious experience when manic and then be very devastated when they realize it was mania. Prevention is he key here. If you know your mania starts with religious/spiritual/psychic fervor, you need to know the signs and get help before they go too far. This is one situation my books talk about very, very clearly. You have to know the signs of mania a lot earlier than the signs of depression and psychosis. Mania has such a small treatment window – and you may be in a hospital thinking you’re Jesus before you know it! Here is Janetta’s letter.
Dear Julie:
I converted to Islam about 23 years ago after running around various religions and even studying them at University.
The dilemma between what is a mystical state and what is mania is truly a fascinating question. I think I’ve had both…and i would now say that a good way to discern the difference is by the effect they have on your own life and that of others.
God is always loving, just, beautiful etc etc whereas mania and craziness isn’t and can be very destructive. Depression feels like hell but if we can reach out to a higher power in that state then we can always have hope and that in itself lets a little chink of light into the darkness…
I could go on and on.
Anyways, thanks so much. I know that God is with you and the good work you do. Janetta
Mania can make you feel you’re having a religious experience all of the time. As Janetta pointed out. The experiences that don’t cause extreme let down, harm or hospitalization are often the real thing. Mania and or psychotic induced experiences are usually episodic- in other words, the religious/spiritual intensity of feelings may simply go away when the mood swings ends- which is another way to tell the difference between what is real and what’s an illness. Julie
Tags: bipolar religion, bipolar spirituality, islam bipolar disorder, jesus bipolar, religion mania
Posted in reader comments, spirituality | 2 Comments »