Chronic Anger: Symptoms, Causes and How to Deal With It?
Chronic anger is one of the worst types of anger that can ruin your life and your relationship. People suffering from the condition of chronic anger can exhibit road rage and other such hostile behavior.
Some of us may accept chronic rage as psychological armor to insulate ourselves from suffering, consciously and unconsciously.
Anger, for example, might help us avoid the anxiety of self-reflection proving it to be a constructive emotion but when you start experiencing anger episodes with rage directed towards someone, this emotion becomes problematic.
If you’ve ever had an argument with someone that got out of hand, or experienced a sudden outburst of anger for no reason, you know how chronic anger can feel. This type of anger is intense and difficult to control, and can quickly lead to trouble if not dealt with effectively.
But what causes chronic anger, and how can we deal with it when it arises? In this blog post, we’ll explore the symptoms, causes, and solutions for managing chronic anger. Stay tuned!
What is Chronic Anger?
Chronic anger is typically pervasive, manifesting in the workplace, relationships, and daily life. It indicates an ongoing tendency to become fierce and general antagonism.
Most commonly, it stems from unresolved wounds or hurt that individuals have been unable to overcome, typically with roots in prior emotional or physical abuse or neglect.
It might also stem from dangers or losses in relationships, health, income, work, or socioeconomic standing. While some people are acutely aware of their pains, others may confuse them with their rage.
Such individuals may have frequently downplayed or diminished the significance of their previous experiences, often out of guilt and shame.
People may have blamed themselves for concealing their genuine anger and perplexity over such incidents. Nonetheless, the depth of their scars may lead to hypersensitivity to feelings of maltreatment.
Signs of Chronic Anger
Anger creates both physical and psychological effects. While these sensations are natural to encounter occasionally, a person with anger issues is likely to experience them more frequently and to a greater extent.
Physical signs and symptoms
Anger impacts several aspects of your body, including your heart, brain, and muscles. For example, anger increases testosterone levels while decreasing cortisol levels.
Important physical symptoms of chronic anger are:
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Muscle tension
- Tingling sensation
Emotional signs and symptoms
Anger is accompanied by a variety of other emotions. You may experience the following emotional symptoms before, during, or after an angry outburst:
- Anxiety
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Frustration
- Guilt
- Irritability
- Rage
- Stress
You must deal with emotional and physical symptoms if you want proper care and treatment for chronic anger.
Causes of Chronic Anger
Various factors can trigger anger, including stress, family troubles, and financial concerns.
In certain people, anger can be triggered by an underlying disease, such as alcoholism or depression. Therefore, anger is not considered a problem in and of itself. However, it is a documented sign of various mental health issues.
Some of the probable causes of anger issues are as follows:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Depression
- Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity. Symptoms often appear in early childhood and persist throughout a person’s life.
Some people are not diagnosed with ADHD until they are adults, frequently referred to as adult ADHD. Anger and irritability can develop in persons of all ages with ADHD.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a neurological illness that causes extreme mood swings. These intense mood swings can range from mania to sadness.
However, depression does not affect everyone with bipolar illness. For example, many patients with bipolar disease have episodes of fury, impatience, and anger.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Anger is a common OCD symptom. It affects almost half of all OCD patients. Anger may arise due to irritation with your inability to control obsessive thoughts and compulsive activities or because someone or something interferes with your capacity to perform a ritual.
Depression
Anger can be a sign of depression, which is defined as constant sorrow and loss of interest that lasts at least two weeks. Anger can be restrained or expressed openly. The level of anger and how it is displayed differs from person to person.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)
Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is characterized by recurrent bouts of aggressive, impulsive, or violent conduct. They may overreact to events by exploding in anger that is out of proportion to the situation. Episodes run less than 30 minutes and come on suddenly. People suffering from the illness may often be irritated and angry.
5 Most Successful Techniques To Cure Yourself from Chronic Anger
Anger can be cured by following some simplest techniques. But, first, you need to find out the trigger that causes anger and need to control that factor. Here are some common tested strategies that help you in managing chronic anger:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Behavioral therapies
- Healthy lifestyle
- Medication
- Opt for Anger Management Course
1 – Deep breathing exercises
Breathing is a natural phenomenon that can help people deal with chronic anger. When you gently exhale, a signal is transmitted to the brain and body, which aids in relaxing. Even while not exercising, people may learn to breathe deeply.
People should try to set out 10 uninterrupted minutes for this activity, ideally in a peaceful and distraction-free environment. Dimming the lights and adopting a comfortable position can also reduce an individual’s anxiety level.
2 – Behavioral therapies
Behavior therapies are regarded as an effective solution to overcome the symptoms associated with chronic anger. These therapies mainly focus on understanding the emotions and trigger factors that cause chronic anger. After understanding the triggering factor, the healthcare expert provides tips and solutions to resolve or control chronic anger.
The therapist also focuses on stressful conditions that an individual perceives as a threat. Behavior therapies mainly include family therapy, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy.
3 – Healthy lifestyle
Healthy eating and lifestyle are the keys to dealing with chronic anger. As anger is a form of negative energy, you need to work on bringing positive changes to your life. In addition, healthy eating can help improve your physical and mental health.
Sufficient sleep and healthy eating can positively affect your mood and control chronic anger. A nutritious diet can revitalize your mind and body, while meditating can help you achieve serenity and peace. In addition, a healthy lifestyle can help you be more connected to your body and help control anger.
4 – Medication
Seeking therapy, counseling, and using natural remedies are considered the immediate solution to the issue of chronic anger. If these techniques are not helping you manage anger, getting professional help should be the following action. You can refer to your psychiatrist or doctor for medical support.
Medications are usually avoided in the management of anger. Still, if the healthcare provider offers prescriptions, they suit your condition. SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) and SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are common medications prescribed by a physician. They can help relax the nerves and overcome chronic aggression episodes.
5 – Opt for Anger Management Course
Suppose you think you are regularly dealing with multiple episodes of chronic anger. In that case, it is time to find a solution to this issue.
Even though you can try self-help techniques, help is also available to individuals. One of the primary approaches to dealing with chronic anger is enrolling in online anger management classes.
Anger management classes are taught by experts who focus on keeping your emotion and anger in check by guiding you about the tips that help deal with chronic anger.
Regarding course duration, multiple anger management courses are available, and the coursework can be managed in a 4-hour, 12-hour, and 52-hour class.
Depending upon the severity of your symptoms and the support you need, you can select the course that best suits you.
Conclusion
Anger is a normal emotion, but chronic anger is a different case. We all face anger while dealing with the hardships of life, but when your anger episodes become extreme, it is time to ask for help. Even though it is pretty challenging to target the negative experiences of chronic anger, it can be done.
Healing from chronic anger needs persistence, control, and will to solve underlying issues. Express cases of chronic or chronic anger can not only ruin your mental and physical health but can also compromise your relationship, career, and goals.
If you cannot control the symptoms of chronic anger, it is time to ask for help. Visit a hospital or enroll in an online anger management class to better understand your current health status and the approaches to overcoming your anger.
Dr. Carlos Todd PhD LCMHC specializes in anger management, family conflict resolution, marital and premarital conflict resolution. His extensive knowledge in the field of anger management may enable you to use his tested methods to deal with your anger issues.
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