Signs You May Need Anger Management

anger management

Anger manifests in various ways for different people. For some, a heated sensation begins in the stomach. For others, an overwhelming quiet, seething response is the norm. Extreme responses of anger have placed the common emotion in a negative light, leaving many to believe that it is an unhealthy emotion.

However, anger is a completely normal and healthy emotion. The destructive associations have developed because of the unhealthy manifestations of anger.

So, how do you know if you or a loved one have anger management issues? And what can you do to get control of your anger?

Causes Of Anger

Anger is a very normal reaction to various life events and issues. Stresses, relational problems, and financial pressures can trigger anger. Individuals that have underlying issues such as alcohol abuse or mental health problems are more susceptible to anger.

Here are a few of the most popular triggers for anger;

  • Depression – often anger is suppressed, and symptoms of anger appear as irritability, loss of energy and thoughts of self-harm

  • Grief – feelings of anger is one of the stages of grief

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder – the anxiety disorder can prompt unwanted urges that manifest in feelings of frustration when desires are unmet

  • Alcoholism – drinking alcohol is known to increase aggression and impaired thinking

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – commonly known as ADHD, the neurodevelopmental disorder can lead to anger and short temper

  • Oppositional defiant disorder – also known as ODD, symptoms include anger and irritability

  • Bipolar disorder – the dramatic shift in mood can include quick accelerations of intense moods (including anger)

  • Intermittent explosive disorder – people with IED are prone to overact with angry outbursts

8 Signs Of Uncontrollable Anger Issues

As strange as it may sound, anger is healthy when it is expressed in a controlled way. When anger is left unexpressed, it is suppressed and comes out in outbursts which can be harmful.

Anger can also be directed inwards and result in feelings of guilt and blame. In turn, this can lead to lowered self-esteem and the generation of a harmful cycle of negative emotions.

The following patterns of behavior could be indicative of anger control management issues.

  1. Physical Responses

    In many ways, society has presented “anger” as a taboo emotion. This leaves individuals struggling with how to express the emotion when it undoubtedly arises. You may notice that you (or a loved one) regularly responds to anger with physical antics.

    Rubbing your head, pacing, becoming sarcastic, craving substances, and raising your voice are all physical responses to anger.

  2. Emotional Responses

    Another common response to anger is to become emotionally charged. If you struggle with anger issues, you may find yourself feeling easily irritated, sad, guilty, resentful, anxious and the desire to get away from the situation.

  3. Expression Of Emotions

    When struggling with anger issues, it may be difficult to express yourself in a calm and healthy way. This can often become evident when struggling to come to mutual agreements about sensitive topics.

  4. Susceptible To Triggers

    As mentioned, certain mental health disorders and addictions can trigger an outburst. For example, anger and violence can be the result of one too many glasses of wine.

  5. Isolation & Self-Harm

    When anger is unexpressed in an outward manner, it can begin to affect you inwards and lead to feelings of isolation and self-harm. People struggling with depression are more vulnerable to these feelings and may start acting on the will to injure themselves.

  6. Outward Aggression

    Angry outbursts can result in shouting (and swearing) or being physically violent. In many instances, these outbursts manifest in abuse of various forms.

  7. Substance Abuse

    Substances can become the crutch to numbing feelings of anger and can easily lead to abuse and addiction. Without a supportive drug and alcohol rehabilitation, this addiction can create an even worse situation.

  8. Relational Tension

    It’s not pleasant spending time around someone who is constantly shouting or in an abusive mood. Those that struggle with anger issues often find themselves in bad cycles of unhealthy relationships.

What Is “Healthy” Anger?

The emotional state of anger can vary in intensity. It can begin (and end) as a mild frustration or develop into a full-fledged rage. Experiencing these emotions is not bad but expressing anger in a harmful way can have detrimental consequences for both yourself and others.

In order to achieve healthy anger, it’s important to reflect on your emotions and their triggers. Learning to observe your anger without becoming overwhelmed and reacting is the first step to achieving this.

In many instances, anger is preceded by specific signals and sensations. Identifying these sensations is essential to managing anger. Through effective anger management counseling, it becomes possible to develop strategies to forgive yourself (and others) and learn to communicate effectively.

It’s Never Too Late For Help

It’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed by anger – especially when on the brink of an outburst. However, mindfulness and compassion are the first steps to controlling your anger and can be achieved with support.

At Fifth Street Counseling, we offer support to individuals who are struggling with anger management issues. There’s no reason to try to navigate your emotions alone. Our staff are well-trained and offer support when needed, and solutions to help with future struggles. 

With everything going on in the world right now surrounding COVID-19, it’s important for you to know that we are in this together. That is why Fifth Street Counseling Center is proud to be able to continue helping the public by offering video counseling sessions. This will help us ensure the safety of our patients, healthcare workers, and our community until we can get back to business as usual.

Give us a call at (954) 797-5222 to find out more about the services we offer online and how we can help you.

Garry Smith

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