Is it common to feel sensitive and aggressive after going through a rough time?

I never would have guessed it of you, @Mariah , I’ve never seen you be anything but intelligent and full of grace.
That said, I think it is common, I think many people misunderstand just how much energy goes into keeping the filters working that keep us from slapping others upside the head at the drop of a hat. People get tired? They’re cranky. People have pain? They’re crabby. And so on and so on. As your strength comes back your good nature and immunity to minor irritation will come back in full. :-)

Yep. I go through this and wrassle with it on a daily basis. What to do?? I try to validate not only the feelings and emotions I am experiencing but those of the others that may be involved in that “moment”. Once I can see where everybody’s emotional compass is pointing, it is much easier to deal with the issue or it will become a non-issue on it’s own.

Dealing with a rough time takes a lot of energy, dealing with difficult people takes a lot of energy. You have a finite supply of energy. Easy to see why you could snap at a few people.

You’re healing therefore it’ll take time for you to return back to your original self. It’s totally understandable. Try doing things you love, focus your energy on something you enjoy doing. Feel better!

Yes. Cliche but channel that negative energy to something positive. Art?

Yeah, at some point our bodies can’t handle any more crap. Period.

I think it is perfectly normal. I also think that what you have experienced in the last few years have given you a great insight into what is really important. Going through such experiences I would imagine would leave you (or anyone) more aware and less tolerant of superficial, ignorant attitudes. I am sure this sensitivity will lessen with time. You certainly don’t appear to be impatient or less tolerant to me.

Thanks everybody, very reassuring to hear that you think it is normal and temporary and that it hasn’t shown through much on here. I appreciate it.

@JilltheTooth, thank you kindly.

@mazingerz88 Good suggestion, I’ve actually been doing a lot of art lately. It helps.

@Bellatrix, you are quite right, I am much more aware of the fact that I can’t really judge people because I can’t know what people’s lives are like, what challenges they face, what they’ve been through. I’m much more aware of the various ways in which people are struggling, things I’d never imagined before I went through all this. I think I’m a little overly aware at the moment because it’s like everything I hear goes through a filter in my brain to pick out any hint of disrespect towards the ill or disadvantaged, and I get very indignant about it when I find it. Even just stupid little things – like a recent remark I saw here on Fluther about how it’s disgusting that some people don’t use bidets – make me very irritable. Wow, if normal people’s bathroom habits are so disgusting to you, what on earth do you think of people with digestive diseases? Just little things like that, that I know the author truly had no intention of being an insult.

I also don’t sweat the small stuff quite so much anymore, which is very beneficial to me, having always been a constant worrier. But that attitude has its negative side too, which is that I sometimes get annoyed with people when they complain about things that don’t seem like a “big deal” to me, which I know is not fair to do.

Perhaps, @Mariah, you need to process some feelings about your rough times and medical problems. Unexpressed feelings tend to spill over into other areas of life.

Did you say that you had a therapist?

If not, and you want to process anger, PM me and I will fill you in on some do-it-yourself techniques.

I think of you as one of the gentler souls in Fluther and the world. When you go through a difficult time you can feel sensitive and vulnerable and it is not unusual to react by being aggressive. It is a way of surviving and I by no means think it is unhealthy. What those around you may think I don’t know. I hope they are understanding.

@marinelife, I’m certain you’re right. I have a therapist who I haven’t visited in a few weeks, and I don’t currently have an appointment set up with her. I’ve been very happy lately (when I’m not angry) so I haven’t felt much need. But I won’t pretend I don’t have anything that needs sorted out right now, hence this question. Maybe I should go back. I would still very much appreciate hearing your techniques, though. Thanks.

@flutherother Thank you. I think it’s entirely likely that the only person who has noticed the change in me is me. I haven’t acted upon my feelings of aggression much, see. So I doubt anyone around me is concerned, and I don’t know that I consider it unhealthy either, but I’d just like to be angry less often.

You know how you have a sort of image of other jellies you haven’t met? I picture you kind, strong, independent, a supporter of the underdog, very bright and a nice woman from a good family. A hardworking father and mother. A good head on your shoulders and enough crap going on in your life at the moment to drive a normal person to drink or scream. It feels good sometimes to release that frustration. You are always kind and fair.

Mariah I feel the same. I feel the more I know, and understand the less peace of mind I have. Like I want to try and help, fix the injustices I read about. To answer your question though, yeah aggravation can be a result of your surroundings. Maybe you are not satisfied with something in your life? I can relate because I’m putting myself through college. When I know in the back of my head I’d rather be pushing my music forward with tours and just over musician stuff. At the same time however, I want to prove that one can come from low income, go through college, and then pursue the dream. But I’ve definitely become more feisty with my focus all around the place.