Does this happen to everyone, or am I just turning into a jerk?

[alaskagirl]

I have had so many irritability streaks that I lost count! EVERYTHING makes me mad. It's driving my mom crazy. Is this A.S or hormones or what?

[zenemu]

It is probably a bit of both. Hormones are going to make you quite irritable anyway, but Aspergers is proba bly going to mean that you experience emotions in a very intense way and that you are going to have a bit of difficulty letting go of those feelings, even when you know you are in the wrong, or it is innappropriate. Things will get better in time though.

[Kresjah]

I'd like to second what zenemu said. Also keep in mind that being different and attempting to cope with that can, even on a subconscious level, add to the daily stress. I'm not implying that one should never attempt to adjust/cope at all, just that being aware of it may allow one to better gauge when you can let your guard down and relax, as well as understanding when you are going to need a "break".

When stressed and/or exhausted in advance, the smallest things can become highly annoying. I can sometimes get grumpy and snap at someone for things that wasn't meant in a harmful way, or simply wasn't harmful at all (meaning I'm the one who misunderstood).

Actually, I'd say it doesn't stem so much from the AS itself, as it seems a common reaction for most people when they are stressed and exhausted.... it's just that we tend to have a higher stress level at any time simply because we must often work a bit harder in order to fit in.

Of course we are all different so this may not necessarily apply to you, but from my own personal experience this seems to be fairly accurate.

[Techie]

 Irritability streaks seem to come in cycles for me.  Things will be good for a while then the irritability pops up again.  I know with myself I try to keep my emotions bottled up in public or at work for the most part.  Then my family gets the brunt of it when I am at home when small things start setting me off.  Before I knew about my aspbergers I experimented with taking vitamins and supplements and it seemed to help a little with my mood.  Regular physical activities like walking, biking, or swimming also seemed to help take off some of the edge.   These things have not cured me but have been a great help in how frequently it occurs.  In my opinion irritability streaks for me are worse when I have poor sleeping habits, eating habits or lack of physical activity.  I think my coffee and caffeine addiction also contributes to it in some ways.  I also feel like a jerk after I have acted this way because I don't understand why it is happening.

[AS_Redneck]

I have had so many irritability streaks that I lost count! EVERYTHING makes me mad. It's driving my mom crazy. Is this A.S or hormones or what?

You might want to consider getting screened for bipolar disorder if it gets any worse.

[dhpmathmusic]

Well, I have four modes:  scared to death, angry, miserable, or once in a blue moon, looney (as in cartoonlike); but I have been diagnosed with anxiety and major depression as well as having AS.  Most of the time, I'm angry though.  (One of many reasons why I don't have a girlfriend - I'm scared that I might scare her with my temper, even though I would never want to hurt her in any way).  Anyways, I think anger just comes with the package of AS - it is very frustrating when no one understands you and vice versa.

[alaskagirl]

Well, they aren't going to screen me for bipolar disorder, but they want to check me for ADD.

[MM]

ADD seems to be common along side aspergers syndrome

[alaskagirl]

My therapist said they go hand -in-hand.

[MM]

Dont worry medication and good nutrition and excercise makes all the difference

[alaskagirl]

I'll have to more of some of that.