Dear Bobby

irritability is an alternative symtpom to euphoria in mania/hypomania, so it can be present to bipolar in general. there is a list of about 7-8 sx and you don't have to have all. you need to have to have 4ish (can't remember #) to meet criteria for mania/hypomania. but they have to be to an extent that interferes with functioning.

the last time i read the full criteria, an extra symptom was required if the mood was "only" irritable. i was always "irritated" by the "only."

i suppose they mean somewhat grumpy, whereas my original interpretation of "irritable" was "irascible" and dysphoric - i.e same energy level as euphoric so i could not understand why an "extra" symptom was needed... seemed worse to me.

waves