Signs of Anger Issues to Be on the Lookout For

It seems like every other day there’s a news story or an incident that goes viral documenting an angry person. The story could be about road rage, someone unhappy with the customer service they received, a disgruntled employee taking revenge on their employer, or partners having it out in public after a falling out. Such stories are too common, and it’s a little like watching a train wreck in real time – deadly, but somehow mesmerizing. These are all signs of anger issues.

These displays of anger can get etched in our minds as cautionary tales, or perhaps as reminders of why anger is such a volatile emotion that we need to keep in check at all costs. It’s possible to learn the wrong lessons from these infamous displays of anger and assume that anger is always dangerous. Anger can indeed be dangerous, but it is also helpful.

Are some people simply angrier than others?

People don’t experience emotions in the same way. Some people don’t seem fazed by situations, no matter how hairy those situations can get. Then there are other people whose anger explodes at the drop of a hat, causing the people around them to keep their distance and watch their words carefully. Are some people simply angrier than others?

Some people are indeed angrier and more prone to anger than others, and there are various reasons for this. Anger can be an inherited trait and a person’s ability to regulate their anger can be influenced by their genetics. Another reason some people could be angrier than others is that imbalances in one’s brain chemistry (neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and testosterone) can affect one’s response to anger.

Apart from these genetic and biological aspects of anger, a person’s upbringing and experiences can also affect how they process and respond to anger. Childhood experiences, trauma, exposure to certain parenting styles, or experiencing violence can shape your anger. When you observe and are influenced by the angry behavior of others, that can perpetuate unhealthy patterns of anger in your life.

In addition, other factors like your personality traits can also impact your anger response. You may be more prone to getting angry if you’re neurotic, a perfectionist, or competitive. If you’re experiencing ongoing anxiety and stress, that can also contribute to you getting angry more easily. Experiencing medical conditions like sleep disorders, depression, ADHD, and chronic pain can also contribute to feeling angry and irritable.

Other factors that can make some people angrier than others include alcohol and drug use which can increase aggression. Lastly, if you’re mired in negative thought patterns, rumination, and catastrophic thinking, these can fuel your anger and make it harder for you to calm down.

Anger is quite complex as an emotion, and we all experience it differently. Having a handle on what affects your anger can help you manage it better.

Why anger can be a big problem

There’s no doubt about it – anger can be a huge problem in a person’s life. Some of the negative consequences of anger can be seen in those news stories or viral social media clips documenting anger being expressed poorly. Property gets damaged, a relationship may be broken irreparably, and there may be jail time involved for one or more of the people involved.

Beyond these effects of anger, it’s also important to note the effects anger can have on a person’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being. Anger can exacerbate anxiety, stress, emotional exhaustion, and depression, as well as feelings of shame, guilt, and regret. Anger can impair your judgment, focus, and decision-making, leading you to make decisions or to say and do things you regret later.

Other effects of anger include physical issues such as digestive problems, sleep disturbances, and a weakened immune system due to increased levels of stress that your body is under. Over the long term, you can be at greater risk of health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and stroke, as well as mental health disorders. If anger strains your relationships with others, it could lead to greater isolation and declining satisfaction with your life.

Anger can be a huge problem if it isn’t handled well. This is why it’s important not only to know the signs of anger in your life, but to also know healthy ways to manage your anger such as learning how to express it well, engaging in stress-reducing activities, practicing greater self-awareness, and seeking support from a mental health professional if needed.

Signs of anger issues to watch out for

Anger isn’t always as overt or outwardly expressive as one may think. Often, anger can be present and get expressed in more subtle, but no less dangerous ways. Anger is how our bodies respond to threats, whether real or imagined, and it affects how our bodies function to allow us to respond to these threats. That is why anger will affect your body, but also your thoughts and the sensations you experience as a result.

When you feel angry, you can trace the tell-tale signs of it in how your body feels. If you find yourself with clenched fists, your face feeling flushed, an increased heart rate, shallow breathing, and hyperfocus as though everything else is getting drowned out, it’s quite likely that you’re feeling angry. You may even exhibit signs like a raised voice, or aggressive body language.

Some of the common signs of anger and anger issues to watch out for include the following:

Damaged relationships

Your anger is causing problems in your personal or professional relationships.

Having frequent outbursts

You find yourself regularly losing control and lashing out at other people.

Intense anger

You feel angry, but that anger is extreme, prolonged, or disproportionate to the situation. In addition to this, you may be easily triggered by perceived slights and insults, or by minor incidents.

Aggressive behavior

You are verbally aggressive toward others, whether that’s yelling, name-calling, being sarcastic, or using a condescending tone. You might also be physically aggressive toward them, through your posture, or threatening gestures.

Passive-aggressive behavior

Anger isn’t only directed outwardly in large or overtly aggressive ways. Indirectly expressing your anger through sulking, procrastination, giving the silent treatment, or backhanded compliments can also be a sign of anger and anger issues.

Lack of self-awareness

You have difficulty recognizing or acknowledging your own anger or its impact on the people around you.

Being defensive

You become overly defensive or dismissive toward the concerns of others when you’re confronted about your anger.

Blaming others

You consistently shift responsibility for your anger or behavior when you’re angry onto someone else.

Inability to calm down

Struggling to manage or regulate your anger after it’s been triggered.

Managing signs of anger issues effectively

As you look at your life or your loved one’s life, you may be able to identify one or more of these signs of anger. Anger is a helpful emotion as it informs us when we’re feeling threatened, or a personal boundary has been crossed. It’s when anger is excessive, easily triggered, lasts longer than necessary, and is expressed in destructive ways that it’s a problem.

Anger can be dealt with effectively, and you can learn to manage it well. Regular exercise can help elevate your mood and reduce your stress levels. Getting good sleep each night can help you regulate your emotions, including anger, much better. Self-reflection can help you identify what triggers your anger, and how your anger typically operates. Such knowledge can be beneficial in knowing how best to respond to anger when it shows up.

You can also seek help from a mental health professional. An anger management counselor can help you understand the roots of your anger so that you can find healing from the deeper cause of the issues. Your counselor can also help you to develop effective anger management strategies and help you to address any underlying issues. If anger is an active concern in your life, reach out to our office to schedule an appointment and speak with an anger management counselor.