1st edition: April 2021

The events of our lives are now largely unexpected. The complexity and difficulties of daily life often bring adults and children into conflict with family members, friends, colleagues, partners, and even strangers.

Anger and aggression are expressed openly, with little effort to suppress or hide them, at all levels – personal, family, social. A defining feature of the times is the desire for immediate gratification of desires, as well as a lack of patience and moderation. Irritability and dissatisfaction often characterize interactions with institutions and the state.

Children are born and raised in a social environment that has elements of tension and conflict. Some of them are difficult, moody, often quarrel, constantly complain, are not pleased with anything, exhaust and puzzle their parents. The outbursts of anger they exhibit are often unmanageable, and they are not particularly popular among their peers when they become upset and lash out verbally or physically. At school, irritability and aggressive behavior are among the common and serious problems faced by educators.

Irritability, that is the tendency to become easily angry, especially in minors, is the topic this book addresses, through a bio-psychosocial approach, trying to answer questions such as:

• Why are so many children irritable and can reach extreme anger?
• Is irritability in children and adults linked to stressful psychological events and the excessive demands of modern life?
• Is reacting with anger when thwarted something intrinsic, or is it primarily related to the social environment, family relationships, and parenting style?
• Is irritability merely a behavioral trait, or is it an expression of underlying emotional discomfort?
• Is irritability more common in certain peoples and societies?
• How is self-control achieved?