iritabilitas

Iritabilitas is a Latin noun meaning irritability. In classical and medieval medical writing, iritabilitas described the capacity of a tissue or organism to respond to stimuli and its tendency to react quickly and strongly. In physiology it referred to the excitability of nerves and muscles, sometimes covering both sensitivity and reactivity. The term has largely been superseded in modern science by terms like excitability, reactivity, or sensitivity, but it remains used in historical contexts and in discussions of the development of physiology.

In modern clinical psychology and psychiatry, irritability refers to a mood or behavioral disposition characterized by easily triggered anger, impatience, or annoyance. It can be transient or part of a broader condition. Irritability is a common symptom in many disorders and states, including sleep deprivation, fever, infections, mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, and certain medical conditions or medication effects. Assessment typically considers frequency, intensity, and context, differentiating irritability from chronic temperament or aggression.

Etymology: from Latin irritabilis, "easily irritated," with iritabilitas forming a nominalized noun related to irritare, "to irritate."