PEM and Irritability?

[lauren108]

Hello! Does anyone else experience an increase in irritability when they have overexerted themselves? I've been trying to "pace" myself more lately and I've been using my irritability almost like a barometer so I know when I've reached my limit. My CFS was gradual so for the longest time I assumed my fatigue was laziness and I really pushed through it for about 3 years prior to becoming bedridden, so I still have that desire to "override" feelings of fatigue and irritability sometimes.

Let me know if you experience the same or have any tips to deal with this.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Hip]

In one of the CDC definitions of ME/CFS, irritability is listed as an ME/CFS symptom. I used to have high levels of irritability, but it's better these days.

Some causes and treatments for irritability are given in this thread: List of Biochemical Causes for Irritability

 

[Hope4]

Yes, to irritability from exertion, or too many external stressors/disruptors. The effects are cumulative. I went to a store yesterday with very high VOCs, lots of EMFs/WiFi, etc., and noise, and who knows what all. I pushed myself to do what I needed to do, but it made the rest of my chores, and the rest of the day very hard. The irritability does seem to be chemical, and not based on choice. I must plan the routes inside the stores better, when I need to do errands.

 

[Mary]

@lauren108 - actually I get the most irritable the day AFTER a crash. During the crash (PEM), I'm too wiped out to feel much of anything, but when it's over, I generally feel like I want to kill someone Actually I'm not as bad as I used to be, but I have to be careful the day after a crash if I'm going to talk to anyone then to make sure I don't bite their head off. I don't know if this irritability is physiological in origin or if part of me is pissed off at crashing again . . . it does wear off after several hours, well it can actually take a whole day to get over, depending on how bad the crash was, etc.

 

[Wishful]

It's not something I've noticed. Just add another mark for me in the 'atypical ME' column.

 

[Hip]

It's not something I've noticed. Just add another mark for me in the 'atypical ME' column.

I don't think irritability is a common symptom of ME/CFS. To my knowledge it is only mentioned in the CDC Holmes criteria definition of ME/CFS, but not the other ME/CFS diagnostic criteria.

Irritability can be a major symptom in autism though, and some children with autism have really strong "weapons grade" irritability. In these cases, it is such a problem that it is treated with atypical antipsychotics. N-acetyl-cysteine can also help.

 

[Pyrrhus]

To my knowledge it is only mentioned in the CDC Holmes criteria definition of ME/CFS, but not the other ME/CFS diagnostic criteria.

I have wondered if the “emotional lability” mentioned in some early descriptions of ME might have included irritability...

 

[Hip]

I have wondered if the “emotional lability” mentioned in some early descriptions of ME might have included irritability...

I am not sure; emotional lability relates to the exaggeration, instability and randomness of emotional states. Those with emotional lability may for example find they are laughing one minute, and the next minute crying, because emotions flitter about.

Perhaps the nearest emotion to irritability is anger, but they not quite the same.



For many years after my viral brain infection which appeared to trigger my ME/CFS, I suffered from high levels of irritability, which is a very unpleasant mental state. You constantly are extremely annoyed, but you have bite your lip and not show it, because you know it's not legitimate, as the irritability is caused by a brain biochemical imbalance or dysfunction.

My irritability could get quite severe: if someone in my household said a friendly good morning to me, it would be intensely irritable to me! If they just walked across the living room, it would irritate me!

That degree of irritability is clearly pathological. In my case, I discovered that very low-dose amisulpride (an atypical antipsychotic that a study found can improve ME/CFS symptoms) helped a great deal to calm and soothe that irritability.

 

[Wolfcub]

I got irritable about 4 days ago when a crash was coming on. Irritated with cars going by....and with slow internet...stupid email that's been "updated" thus takes an age to load now....etc.
It's strange to read this thread because that is the first time in a year I have felt irritable. Usually I've just felt like crying.
I reckoned mine was caused by great tiredness; sensing I was pushed a bit beyond limits, and having to adapt to a new speed. In my case, just the body screaming to be listened to.

 

[Dysfunkion]

Oh yes this is a big one with me, I'll know when I'm really in the gutter when EVERYTHING sets me off but talking to closest friends that really know how to respect my boundaries when I get so sensitive. I become the most antisocial person on the face of the earth. But under how irritated I get is this feeling of panic. Everything is too much and I need it to stop! It's definitely not my personality though because when I'm finally out of it I am the complete opposite. My environment is also not great and have me hanging on to a state like that for far longer than I'd like. Once I'm safe and have space though to regulate myself I'm fine though.