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Reference.org
Irritability
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<p>Irritability is the excitatory ability that <a href="/facts/Living_organisms/j8JkL09u">living organisms</a> have to respond to changes in their environment. The term is used for both the <a href="/facts/Physiological/fh25y2pQ">physiological</a> reaction to stimuli and for the <a href="/facts/Pathology/U9b18LJG">pathological</a>, abnormal or excessive sensitivity to stimuli. </p><p>When reflecting human <a href="/facts/Emotion/kvAr22wa">emotion</a> and <a href="/facts/Human_behavior/AnYA87pl">behavior</a>, it is commonly defined as the tendency to react to stimuli with negative <a href="/facts/Affect_(psychology)/jEQ6IWSm">affective</a> states (especially <a href="/facts/Anger/7YyX9VCH">anger</a>) and temper outbursts, which can be <a href="/facts/Aggression/deWEwTyk">aggressive</a>. Distressing or impairing irritability is important from a <a href="/facts/Mental_health/QIszfk6D">mental health</a> perspective as a common symptom of concern and predictor of clinical outcomes. </p>