Tick, tick, tick…boom! That’s the sound of explosive “word vomit,” the result of a broken brain filter, the final moments of a shortening fuse. Many MS-ers have experienced this 0-60 build of anger in situations that would normally cause little concern. So, our fabulous contributor, Lisa Emrich, decided to do a little digging and see if this shortening fuse was actually linked to MS. Her article was a hit! While the research data may not be clear-cut, the community’s reaction certainly was:

This is so me!

• THIS IS ME!!! I have a very short fuse and very little “filter” on what I say when I “blow.” I don’t mean to act like that and it upsets me when I lose it, but I can’t seem to stop it either.
• This is me, too. I’m a really nice, caring person but…with a really short fuse. I also tend to speak without thinking, which has gotten me in trouble.
• I’m the same way! And I don’t mean to be. I have never been like this before and when I say “it’s the MS” I get the “yeah, right” look from some people.

It’s worse when I multitask.

• I find that when there is too much going on around me I cant keep up, and it is so aggravating!
• If I’m doing just one thing and then end up having to multitask AND answer questions or listen to someone talk, I break down.
• My fuse goes when there are multiple people/activities demanding my attention. I’ve discovered that I can only focus on one thing at one time. When that one thing is taken care of, then I can usually move to the next thing.

Sometimes I just want to scream “Shut up!”

• As soon as it starts I try to tell people to stop and hush for a bit, but they don’t understand, or they roll their eyes, or they keep talking,. Then they comment on how they AREN’T talking. My point is, there is never silence, and sometimes, I need silence.
• The fact that people in the office feel the need to yell because they don’t seem to have inside voices just makes it that much worse.
• Some people just know how to push the hell out of my buttons!!!

My poor family gets the brunt of it.

• The only way for me to deal with it is to declare to my three teens “I’m way off my A game today, so please bear with me.”
• I am so frustrated, and it is ruining my relationships with people, especially my poor child!
• I’ve found that too many demands for my attention at one time creates a very unlovable person—my family puts up with a lot.
• I hate it. It requires, love, patience, and understanding from the spouse!

I’m not me; this isn’t who I am.

• I have done a complete 180 since my diagnosis in 99. I used to have a REALLY long fuse, but I’ve started snapping more and becoming more passive-aggressive.
• I don’t even know who I am anymore!? It’s so hard.
• I can blow up in a second if things aren’t the way they’re suppose to be, and that’s not me!
• I never had this issue before. Now I tell people that “my bitch switch has a hair trigger.”

Does this sound familiar? Have you experienced an inexplicably short temper? Share your experience with us!