I'm Not Coming Back Until . . . : Irritablility and Bipolar Disorder

About a year ago, and a few times before that I became so irritable that small things would just set me off. It was unreasonable irritation.

Very soon after my first daughter had her second baby and my third daughter was in town visiting her I lost it. Daughter number one was reapeating over and over and over again how wonderful her children were. I agreed, but I was going nuts hearing about it (something I don't generally feel). What else was she supposed to do? She was overjoyed with her baby and her toddler.

Daughter number three was studying for an exam she had to take when she went back home. I felt irritated by her innatention to her sister and I. She had a test to take. What else was she supposed to do?

I called daughter number one and said, "I'm not coming back until there are activities and decent conversation." She was hurt and angry and had to hang up quickly so she wouldn't say something she would regret.

Now it's a joke between us. Anytime the conversation lags or becomes repetitive, she says, "What's the matter mom, isn't this enough decent conversation? You want some activities?" It makes us both laugh. I'm lucky my children have such good humor. I glad we crack jokes. Heaven knows, I give them enough material and they are the funniest people I know.

However, feeling irritable is no joke. It can make you into a person you don't want to be, and wouldn't be if everything was alright with you. It can cause stress from trying to control it and escallate into anger.

I've learned to recognize unreasonable irritability as a warning sign. I seek help.