5 Causes of Aggression and Irritability: How to Combat Them

Your blood begins to boil, and you feel like lashing out at the world. You don’t know how to explain this feeling. That is what aggression is about. 

Aggression occurs when we feel an overwhelming need to lash out or attack someone (or something). It is also triggered when we feel threatened in some way or another, by stress, anxiety, fear or any other emotion.

What is Irritability?

Irritability is a state of heightened emotional reactivity or sensitivity to emotional events. It can affect anyone, but it is more common in people with mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression.

For example, an individual suffering from irritability may become easily annoyed by minor inconveniences that would normally be ignored. Irritability is known to be one of the core symptoms of depression.

Daily Stressors That Cause Aggression and Irritability

The daily stressors that contribute to aggression and irritability can be anything from a disagreement with a co-worker to a traffic jam.

These types of stressors can trigger the release of hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which can make us feel anxious, irritable and shaky. Some people may even experience: 

• trembling hands; 
• racing hearts;
• sweaty palms.

Lack of Sleep Causes Aggression and Irritability

If you’re tired, then you’re more likely to experience irritability and aggressiveness. Sleep deprivation can seriously affect your ability: 

• to regulate emotions;
• making you more likely to experience negative emotions.

This happens because sleep is crucial when it comes to regulating your emotions. If you’re not getting enough sleep, it can increase your levels of stress hormones, which can contribute to feelings of irritability and aggression.

Depression Causes Aggression and Irritability

Depression is one of the most common causes of aggression and irritability. People with depression may be more likely to misread social cues, which can lead to them feeling misunderstood, neglected, or even rejected.

Confrontation Causes Aggression and Irritability

Confrontation is a dramatic confrontation with another person. Confrontation can be a good thing, as it can be a healthy way to communicate and resolve conflict. 

However, confrontation can also be a bad thing, especially when it results in aggression, or when it is used as a way to intimidate others. If you have a tendency to become aggressive during confrontation, you could be dealing with an anger management problem.

Boredom Causes Aggression and Irritability

If you’re feeling bored and unengaged, then you’re more likely to experience feelings of aggressiveness and irritability.

If you are bored, you might find yourself getting into trouble. Boredom can also lead to negative thoughts and feelings, which can cause you to become irritable.

Conclusion

Aggression and irritability can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, gender, or circumstances. The best thing you can do is to try to understand what triggers these feelings in you and how you can prevent them from happening. 

If you’re experiencing high levels of stress, you might want to try relaxation techniques, like meditation, deep breathing, or even exercise to help you calm down. 

You might also want to reduce your daily stress levels through lifestyle changes, like getting more sleep, eating healthy, and spending more time with loved ones. If you can identify the causes of your aggression and irritability, you can take steps to prevent them from happening or even happening again.

There are many relaxation techniques in the Sensera app. Download now to reduce your aggression!