IRRITABILITY

Irritation is the emotional mechanism signaling that the current events (the thing that is irritating us) are working against some of the psychological needs (or subconscious goals) of the individual.

Irritability is a long-term state of a person, who is more prone to irritation due to overall lower levels of life satisfaction (satisfaction of psychological needs)

How does it all actually work?

When we encounter challenges related to our needs, our nervous system reacts by activating itself. This activation involves a delicate balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain. This balance is maintained by various receptors and substances, such as neurotransmitters and enzymes, for example.

The normal functioning of these receptors and substances is associated with satisfying the individual needs of a person. In other words, when a particular need is unmet (or the person is taken out of a state of homeostasis), they activate to restore the balance.

An important role in this process is played by the so-called Endocannabinoid system, which is largely responsible for maintaining the homeostatic balance in the body.

Endocannabinoids are signaling molecules that activate cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system, playing a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, including moods and emotional reactions.

When our nervous system remains activated for longer periods (due to the inability to satisfy certain needs), imbalances occur in the ways the Endocannabinoid system and other connected neurotransmitters function.

It is precisely this imbalance that people experience as a state of irritability.

Depending on the degree to which a person is prone to irritability, we can observe different behavioral manifestations.

What are the implications of levels of irritability as a trait of human nature for people’s lives, depending on where they are on the irritability scale:

Low Scorers:

* Pros: People with lower levels of irritability are described by others as people who hardly get annoyed, can maintain composure even in tense social situations, and are therefore able to take advantage of such situations since irritation does not push them to harsh reactions. Often described as empathetic (even though it’s not necessarily true). Tend to have fewer prejudices.

Edit Post

* Cons: Described as unable to see the threat in others’ stupidity and unjustified behaviors and therefore bypass those moments when they shouldn’t. Rarely provide negative feedback (due to their tolerance) which leads to situations where almost everything can be accepted. Neglect red flags in others’ behaviors which potentially could lead to toxic relations.

High Scorers

* Pros: People with higher levels of irritability are described by others as people who are “very invested in the cause” (whatever that cause might be). Strongly engaged. Easily return hard (negative) feedback when needed (because they are annoyed). Good at spotting interpersonal problems, omissions, and injustices which makes them good judges of character when it comes to noticing “red flags”.

* Cons: Tend to focus too much on the negative in a social context, which even if they try to hide, could be perceived by others and leave a “bad taste” from the interaction. It hinders their leadership, parenthood, and partnership (in love life and business) abilities since it looks like they focus only on problems which in turn demotivate others to want to be around them. It leads them to be described as “bad bosses”, “bad partners” and “bad parents”. Tend to more easily create prejudices.

Desired scores (for optimal functioning in the nowadays social world) – between the 25th and 50^th percentile. If the person shows different results (after psychological profiling) there is potential for a developmental process.

OK, Now what?

Share this article with someone, who who could find it useful –>