Anger is a natural, instinctive response to threats. Some anger is necessary for our survival.
Anger becomes a problem when you have trouble controlling it, causing you to say or do things you regret.
A
Learn more about identifying your triggers and managing your anger below.
Many things can trigger anger, including stress, family problems, and financial issues.
For some people, anger is caused by an underlying disorder, such as alcoholism or depression. Anger itself isn’t considered a disorder, but anger is a known symptom of several mental health conditions.
The following are some of the possible causes of anger issues.
Depression
Anger can be a symptom of depression, which is characterized as ongoing feelings of sadness and loss of interest lasting at least two weeks.
Anger can be suppressed or overtly expressed. The intensity of the anger and how it’s expressed varies from person to person.
If you have depression, you may experience other symptoms. These include:
- irritability
- loss of energy
- feelings of hopelessness
- thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that’s characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior. A person with OCD has unwanted, disturbing thoughts, urges, or images that drive them to do something repetitively.
For example, they may perform certain rituals, such as counting to a number or repeating a word or phrase, because of an irrational belief that something bad will happen if they don’t.
A
Anger may result from frustration with your inability to prevent obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, or from having someone or something interfere with your ability to carry out a ritual.
Alcohol abuse
Research shows that drinking alcohol increases aggression. Alcohol is a contributing factor in approximately half of all violent crimes committed in the United States.
Alcohol abuse, or alcoholism, refers to consuming too much alcohol at once or regularly.
Alcohol impairs your ability to think clearly and make rational decisions. It affects your impulse control and can make it harder for you to control your emotions.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and or impulsivity.
Symptoms usually start in early childhood and continue throughout a person’s life. Some people are not diagnosed until adulthood, which is sometimes referred to as adult ADHD.
Anger and short temper can also occur in people of all ages with ADHD. Other symptoms include:
- restlessness
- problems focusing
- poor time management or planning skills
Oppositional defiant disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a behavioral disorder that affects 1 to 16 percent of school-age children. Common symptoms of ODD include:
- anger
- hot temper
- irritability
Children with ODD are often easily annoyed by others. They may be defiant and argumentative.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes dramatic shifts in your mood.
These intense mood shifts can range from mania to depression, although not everyone with bipolar disorder will experience depression. Many people with bipolar disorder may experience periods of anger, irritability, and rage.
During a manic episode, you may:
- be easily agitated
- feel euphoric
- have racing thoughts
- engage in impulsive or reckless behavior
During a depressive episode, you may:
- feel sad, hopeless, or tearful
- lose interest in things once enjoyed
- have thoughts of suicide
Intermittent explosive disorder
A person with intermittent explosive disorder (IED) has repeated episodes of aggressive, impulsive, or violent behavior. They may overreact to situations with angry outbursts that are out of proportion to the situation.
Episodes last less than 30 minutes and come on without warning. People with the disorder may feel irritable and angry most of the time.
Some common behaviors include:
- temper tantrums
- arguments
- fighting
- physical violence
- throwing things
People with IED may feel remorseful or embarrassed after an episode.
Grief
Anger is one of the stages of grief. Grief can come from the death of a loved one, a divorce or breakup, or from losing a job. The anger may be directed at the person who died, anyone else involved in the event, or inanimate objects.
Other symptoms of grief include:
- shock
- numbness
- guilt
- sadness
- loneliness
- fear
Anger causes physical and emotional symptoms. While it’s normal to experience these symptoms on occasion, a person with anger issues tends to experience them more often and to a more severe degree.
Physical symptoms
Anger affects different parts of your body, including your heart, brain, and muscles. A 2011 study found that anger also causes an increase in testosterone levels and decrease in cortisol levels.
The physical signs and symptoms of anger include:
- increased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- tingling sensation
- muscle tension
Emotional
There are a number of emotions that go hand in hand with anger. You may notice the following emotional symptoms before, during, or after an episode of anger:
- irritability
- frustration
- anxiety
- rage
- stress
- feeling overwhelmed
- guilt
Anger can manifest itself in a number of different ways. Not all anger is expressed in the same way. Anger and aggression can be outward, inward, or passive.
- Outward. This involves expressing your anger and aggression in an obvious way. This can include behavior such as shouting, cursing, throwing or breaking things, or being verbally or physically abusive toward others.
- Inward. This type of anger is directed at yourself. It involves negative self-talk, denying yourself things that make you happy or even basic needs, such as food. Self-harm and isolating yourself from people are other ways anger can be directed inward.
- Passive. This involves using subtle and indirect ways to express your anger. Examples of this passive aggressive behavior include giving someone the silent treatment, sulking, being sarcastic, and making snide remarks.
You may have anger issues if:
- you feel angry often
- you feel that your anger seems out of control
- your anger is impacting your relationships
- your anger is hurting others
- your anger causes you to say or do things you regret
- you’re verbally or physically abusive
If you believe your anger is out of control or if it’s negatively affecting your life or relationships, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.
A mental health professional can help determine if you have an underlying mental health condition that’s causing your anger issues and requires treatment.
Anger management can also include one or more of the following:
- relaxation techniques
- behavioral therapy
- depression, anxiety, or ADHD medications, if you’re diagnosed with any of these conditions
- anger management classes, which can be taken in person, by phone, or online
- anger management exercises at home
- support groups
»MORE:9 Best Affordable Therapy Options of 2023: Tried and Tested
Anger is a normal emotion, but if your anger seems out of control or is impacting your relationships, you may have anger issues.
A mental health professional can help you work through your anger and identify any underlying mental health conditions that may be a contributing factor. With anger management and other treatments, you can get your anger under control.
I'm an expert in psychology and mental health, having extensively researched and studied these topics. I hold a degree in psychology and have practical experience working with individuals facing various mental health challenges. My expertise encompasses a broad range of psychological disorders, including those related to anger issues.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about anger issues:
-
Anger as a Natural Response:
- Anger is described as a natural and instinctive response to threats. This aligns with the evolutionary perspective that anger serves a protective function in response to perceived danger.
-
Impact of Uncontrolled Anger:
- The article cites a 2010 study emphasizing the negative impact of uncontrolled anger on both physical and mental health. This underlines the importance of managing anger for overall well-being.
-
Causes of Anger Issues:
- The article lists various triggers for anger issues, including stress, family problems, financial issues, and underlying disorders such as alcoholism or depression. This provides a comprehensive understanding of the diverse factors contributing to anger problems.
-
Depression and Anger:
- Depression is discussed as a condition where anger can manifest as a symptom. The article outlines associated symptoms such as irritability, loss of energy, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
-
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Anger:
- OCD is introduced as an anxiety disorder, with the article noting a 2011 study that identifies anger as a common symptom. The frustration associated with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors can contribute to anger issues.
-
Alcohol Abuse and Aggression:
- The link between alcohol abuse and increased aggression is highlighted, with alcohol's impact on impulse control and emotional regulation explained. This underscores the role of substance abuse in exacerbating anger issues.
-
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
- ADHD is presented as a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms such as anger, short temper, restlessness, and poor impulse control. The article notes that these symptoms can persist into adulthood.
-
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD):
- ODD is discussed as a behavioral disorder with symptoms including anger, hot temper, and irritability in children. This provides insight into how behavioral issues in childhood can contribute to anger problems.
-
Bipolar Disorder and Mood Shifts:
- Bipolar disorder is introduced as a condition involving dramatic mood shifts, with anger, irritability, and rage mentioned as potential symptoms during manic episodes.
-
Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED):
- IED is described as a disorder characterized by repeated episodes of impulsive, aggressive behavior, highlighting the sudden and intense nature of anger outbursts.
-
Grief and Anger:
- The article acknowledges anger as one of the stages of grief, emphasizing its occurrence in response to significant losses like death, divorce, or job loss.
-
Physical and Emotional Symptoms of Anger:
- Physical and emotional symptoms associated with anger are discussed, including increased blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, irritability, frustration, anxiety, rage, stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed or guilty.
-
Types of Anger Expression:
- The article categorizes anger expression into outward, inward, and passive types, explaining how individuals may express their anger in different ways.
-
Identifying Anger Issues:
- The article provides criteria for identifying anger issues, such as frequent anger, feeling out of control, impacting relationships, causing regrettable actions, and being verbally or physically abusive.
-
Anger Management:
- The importance of seeking professional help for managing anger issues is emphasized. The article suggests various strategies, including relaxation techniques, behavioral therapy, medication for underlying conditions, anger management classes, and support groups.
By integrating these concepts, the article offers a comprehensive exploration of anger issues, their causes, symptoms, and potential management strategies.
