Handling Irritation and Seasonal Affective Disorder

Irritation and seasonal affective disorder can go together. But they aren’t inevitably linked. Here’s what I’m learning about both of them.

Irritation and Seasonal Affective Disorder

Prefer to listen? Here’s the podcast episode:

Memphis just ate my banana muffin, and I had a choice to make: explode or accept.

In my season of seasonal affective disorder, which is a form of depression, irritability is a textbook symptom. My first reaction to his gobbling up my banana muffin was irritation.

However, I took a moment to pause. I realized it was my fault for leaving the muffin too close to the counter where he could grab it. And I know he’s simply a food-motivated dog who finds banana-anything irresistible. He had no ill intent.

So, I took a deep breath and decided to pet him instead. I said in my lovey voice, “You love those banana muffins, don’t you, Memph?”

Then I thought about this while I munched another muffin: My anger and irritation is my responsibility. I must practice self-control to keep them managed.

Using Self-Control to Manage Irritation

As I wrote about in my book, The Fruitful Life, self-control is the hardest fruit of the spirit for me to bear. It affects all the others for me. But I remember that it’s fruit the Holy Spirit will bear through me if I ask him – I don’t have to produce it on my own.

I also realize that in my challenging season, I’ll have many other irritation triggers. I’ll be tempted to unleash negative feelings on those who will protest the least – like my dogs, who are basically love factories. We tend to do this, don’t we? I regret the seasons I’ve been a bully before, all because I wasn’t handling my negative emotions well.

But when I connect with my past role as the scapegoat in my family, I don’t want to subject anyone else to that pain. I remember many nights of crying myself to sleep due to others’ insensitivity, entitlement, narcissism, and emotional abuse, all because they chose to explode rather than accept.

Overcoming Irritation in Seasonal Affective Disorder

In the 4.5 months until spring, while my seasonal affective disorder weighs me down, I have actions to take:

1. manage my symptoms with all my methods, including visiting my counselor
2. ask the Holy Spirit to bear the fruit of self-control in me
3. accept rather than explode

I pray if you are struggling with irritation and seasonal affective disorder, you’ll get the help you need. Check out this free, one-time counseling call to get connected with a Christian counselor in your area.

Want more help overcoming angry thoughts through the power of God’s Word? Check out the Angry Thoughts chapter in my book, Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus.

If you send me a prayer request in your lonely season, I’m honored to receive it from you. Please contact me HERE.

Special insider opportunity!

Did you know? I spend over $200.00 per month on all the expenses relating to my ministry. If you are willing to donate to help offset these expenses, I’ll reward you with an exclusive monthly video teaching and printable. Please donate HERE if you received value from my content today. I’ll add you to the monthly list to receive the exclusive rewards for your donation of any amount. Thank you!

If you make a purchase through the provided links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for supporting my writing ministry!

I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!