How common is irritability in U.S. adults and what factors are linked to it?

Study: Prevalence and correlates of irritability among U.S. adults .

Image Credit: TeodorLazarev / Shutterstock Researchers analyzed an extensive survey of U.S. adults, finding that irritability is common and strongly associated with higher risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, particularly among women, younger individuals, and those with lower education and income levels.

A recent study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology reveals that higher levels of irritability can significantly trigger suicidal thoughts in adult individuals. Background Irritability is considered a feature of a psychiatric disorder in modern psychiatry . Around 50% of individuals with major depression have been found to experience significant irritability.

Moreover, a genetic correlation between depression and irritability has also been found in the literature. In this context, evidence indicates that the co-existence of depression and irritability can lead to anxiety issues, poor functioning and quality of life, poor treatment outcomes, and higher suicide risks. In children and adolescents, irritability has been found to increase the risk of mood and anxiety diagnoses later in life.

However, despite the significant influence of irritability on mental health, few studies investigating how and where irritability manifests among adults in the general population are currently available. In this study, scientists have determined the prevalence of irritability among adults in the Un.