Why Am I So Angry All the Time?
Why Am I So Angry All the Time?
Have you ever asked yourself “Why am I So Angry All the Time”? If so, you'll want to read this latest post from the team at Sagebrush Counseling to better understand the nuanced factors influencing your anger and the obvious factors influencing your anger to gain an overall better understanding of how to best understand the ins and outs of anger itself. Read on to learn more about yourself and how we may be able to help you overcome anger to the best of your ability through our compassionate counseling methods.
Symptoms of Anger
So what are the symptoms of anger itself? Below, you’ll find the most common symptoms and how we can help you overcome each and every one of these symptoms to allow for better functioning and coping throughout each and every day.
Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of anger can manifest in multiple ways. Anger can produce everything from increased heart rate to muscle tension. For this reason, it’s better to avoid becoming angry if you can help it, as chronic anger can truly take a toll on your heart and muscles over time. Also, having the feeling of a high heart rate plus a stiff neck doesn’t sound too fun, does it? Nope.
Irritability
We’ve all been there. You’re in an angry mood, and an innocent person asks you a question which sets you off for some reason due to your underlying anger. You’re irritable from an earlier event which caused your anger. Now you're snapping at anyone and everyone who happens to cross your path. This is not a good frame of mind to be in, yet here you are; irritable and quick to snap at anyone who speaks to you in a certain way.
Negative Feelings Towards Relationships
In a fit of rage, you may view your most prized personal relationships in a negative light. This can eventually lead to separation from said relationships if you’re not careful. Nobody likes a chronically angry person, even if they did fall in love with them at some point in time. All of the anger turns into negativity, which eventually impacts relationships in the form of dissolution of said relationships.
Physical Aggression or Violence
Every one of us has most likely punched a pillow or pounded a desk at some point in time when angry. It becomes a whole different story when you replace that pillow or desk with someone’s face or body. Physical aggression or violence when angry is never acceptable, except in forms of self-defense. When your anger rises to this level, you must seek out counseling services before you’re forced to attend a series of court-ordered counseling sessions.
Threatening Others
Threatening others is usually a huge bummer for everyone but the angry person. The angry person is usually threatening someone else as a form of self-preservation or to appear stronger or more powerful than they really are. If you are the aggressor in a situation and you’re threatening someone else to impose a sense of power, you’re the one who is likely viewed negatively by those surrounding you.
Inability to Control Anger
A sign of maturity is the ability to control your anger, even if the person you’re interacting with is screaming at you. To reach this level takes years of practice and self-control in most cases; and it’s not easy. However, if you can reach this level of self-control, you’ll often thank yourself later for not engaging with the individual who may have set you off in the first place.
Reckless Behavior
Reckless behavior could be in the form of reckless driving, random assaults, or screaming at people because they simply enrage you with a quick glance in your direction. This reckless behavior usually results in violence, arrests, or even death in some cases. It’s best to avoid this type of behavior if you can.
Situational Avoidance
You may begin to avoid situations due to the fact you know you’re unable to control your anger if you’re placed within a certain situation. This could be everything from avoiding concerts, parties, or bars, or even avoiding birthday parties where certain former friends or estranged family members may be attending; as they may trigger a response in you which causes you to feel enraged.
Excessive Negative Thoughts
Negative thoughts could be in the form of self-doubt, low self-worth, or even random thoughts of negativity which extend to your physical realm due to the anger outpouring from your inner core being. People around you are typically able to pick up on these thoughts you may be having, as they’ll be able to sense a shift in mood when speaking with you. Thai could lead to a series of undesirable events if you’re not careful.
Repressed Anger
Repressing anger can ultimately result in an explosive episode where everything and everyone is carnage in your path of rage.
Sudden Mood Shifts, Leading to Rage
Sudden mood shifts may be triggered by underlying conditions, triggers, or pent up anger. If you’re experiencing these types of sudden mood shifts, which ultimately lead to rage, you’ll want to figure out the root cause and treat the issue appropriately.
Withdrawing from Conversations Due to Anger
Some people become enraged when certain conversations are brought up. Whether it’s a politically charged conversation, an insulting conversation, or maybe you simply do not like the person you’re speaking to. Whatever the case may be, it’s probably best you withdraw from the conversation if you know you’re going to become angry. It will likely save you from falling into a negative situation.
“Why am I Actually So Angry?”
Below is a list of reasons you may be angry, but let’s be honest, anger is complicated and this list below is by no means an exhaustive rolodex of reasons why one may become angry. Still, it’s important to read over the list and see if there are any similarities you find within your own character traits.
•Physical Threats
•Treated Disrespectfully
•Treated Unfairly
•Stress or Anxiety
•Interpersonal Conflicts
•Issues at Work
•Difficult Life Events
•Past Trauma
•Feeling Powerless
•Chronic Stress
•Substance Use
Experiences & Upbringings
Experiences and upbringing can greatly influence how you handle stress and anger during your adulthood. If you were raised with an angry parent who had loud outbursts on a daily basis, you’re likely to mimic those responses to stressors throughout your adult life. On the other hand, you may be someone who shuts down during periods of anger and never properly expresses yourself when feelings of anger and frustration arise. It takes a lot of practice and self-control to best manage your anger if you happened to have this childhood experience, yet it’s very possible to overcome your anger and be a better version of yourself each and every day.
Mental Conditions Which May Lead to Angry Outbursts
Below are some of the most common mental health conditions which may lead to angry outbursts.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Intermittent explosive disorder is characterized as a condition where one becomes angry with little to no warning, the anger itself typically lasts for less than 30 minutes, and is commonly accompanied by violent acts. This condition differs from traditional outbursts of anger in the sense it seemingly appears out of nowhere. This condition can be very unsettling for both the individual experiencing said disorder and unsettling for those around the individual having the episode.
ADHD
Individuals who suffer from ADHD may have outbursts of anger, including physical expressions of anger and irritability.
Bipolar Disorder
People with bipolar disorder often have very extreme changes in mood where one can be extremely happy and manic for days on end, then they end up falling off of the “high” and delve deep into their lowest of lows. These truly low points may include severe depression, anger, violence, and reckless decision making tendencies.
Depression
Depressed individuals often have feelings of sadness and hopelessness, yet these feelings may begin to transform into feelings of rage and anger over time.
OCD
Individuals who suffer from OCD may become extremely angry and frustrated with themselves if their compulsions and rituals end up taking over the majority of their daily life. These frustrations can bleed over into other areas of life (work, school, personal relationships, etc…) and end up causing severe disruption to emotional, mental and financial stability.
Substance Use
Substance use can truly alter one’s state of mind and their overall behavioral patterns. If substance use remains out of control of the user, it may eventually cause mental health effects which result in anger, depression, anxiety, etc… If not properly managed, the consequences of substance abuse may range from financial consequences, to physical consequences, to possibly death. It’;s important to seek out help if you’re suffering from addiction.
Health Effects of Uncontrolled Anger
Below is a list of commonly associated health effects from chronic anger:
•Anxiety
•Cardiovascular Problems
•Depression
•Diabetes
•High Blood Pressure
•Insomnia
•IBS
All of these health effects have the potential to transform into chronic conditions in their own regard.
How to Cope with Anger
Anger can be the result of many different conditions, scenarios, circumstances, etc… It’s best to seek out professional help with your anger if you’re unable to manage anger on your own. There are a number of specialists and professionals out there to better assist you while you navigate your way through the often tumultuous field of anger management. At Sagebrush Counseling, we can help you overcome your anger through a variety of different counseling methods.
Identify Causes
Identifying the root cause of your anger can do wonders for better helping you manage said anger. We may be angry for reasons unknown, yet with the hello of a qualified mental health professional, you may be able to pinpoint your source of anger. With this newfound knowledge of your anger, you may be able to better manage and control your anger on a daily basis, while also going through therapeutic treatments to help you overcome the root cause of your anger.
Exercise
Exercise is a fantastic solution to many problems: obesity, blood pressure irregularities, and even anger. Sometimes, all it takes to calm down from an angry episode is to go on a nice, long run in nature. You’re exuding all of your frustration and anger out of the process of moving vigorously through your running route. From here, you’ll be full of post-run endorphins which will likely allow you to think much more clearly and rationalize your thought patterns. Exercise truly helps all of us “blow off steam”, and it can be a great way to reduce the number of angry episodes you have each month and have an overall healthier lifestyle.
Relax
Relaxing can be difficult when you’re angry, but sometimes it’s necessary to do so. Relaxing can be very different for many people. Relaxing could be sitting on the couch, watching your favorite television show. Relaxing could be sitting on the hammock in the backyard while the bird chirps and the sun’s rays billow out from beyond the clouds and shine down upon you. Relaxing is something we all need to do to regain composure and refresh our mental state. Try it out today and see how you feel.
Cognitive Reframing
Cognitive reframing can be a fantastic way to help you better control and manage your anger. Take for example, you’re angry about something which happened at work. You’re furious. Now, with this emotion presenting itself, you can ask yourself “Why am I so angry about this work matter?”. When you take the time to truly question why you’re so angry about this seemingly small matter at work, you may be able to reframe your mental position on the matter and realize it’s not that big of a deal after all. Similar to stoicism, cognitive reframing helps one realize they can either choose to respond with anger to a situation, or choose to respond with indifference or positivity to a situation; where the individual is only in control of one thing when it comes down to it: how they respond to situations.
Should You Vent Your Anger?
This is a side of anger management where many mental health professionals have a debate on. To vent, or not to vent. Initially, venting anger in the form of screaming, punching a pillow, or something along those lines may certainly feel great; it’s likely to reinforce those angry outbursts. You may inadvertently condition yourself to respond to any situation which angers you with violence or yelling. What happens if you’re in a public place, at work, or amongst family and friends and something angers you? Are you then going to punch a chair at the restaurant you’re eating at? Are You going to scream at the clouds in anger? Most likely, not. Yet, you’ll want to, in large part because you’ve done it before in the privacy of your own home. You should now see where the ventign of anger becomes a problem. The ultimate goal should be to best manage your anger where you don’t even have those thoughts of punching, screaming, stomping, etc… This way, you can appropriately respond to anger inducing situations in public with ease and professionalism.
Contact Us at Sagebrush Counseling if You’re Struggling with Anger
If you’re struggling with anger and you’ve lost all hope of resolving the issue at hand, don’t give up! We’re here to help. Feel free to contact us using the button below and we’ll be sure to respond to your message as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon and we’re eager to begin helping you manage your anger effectively and efficiently through a variety of counseling methods.