What Is Anger? Everything You Need To Know
Anger is characterized by hostility toward someone, or something you believe has purposefully wronged you.
Anger may be beneficial. It might help you vent negative emotions, for example, or encourage you to discover answers to issues.
However, extreme anger might be problematic. Anger causes increased blood pressure and other physiologic changes that make it harder to think clearly and harm your physical and mental health.
Today, we are going to discuss what is anger, the emotional and physical symptoms, causes, and treatment approaches to anger. So, let’s start our journey of anger management!
What is Anger?
Anger is a strong feeling you experience when something goes wrong or someone wrongs you. It is usually characterized by tension, annoyance, and irritation. Everyone experiences wrath sometimes. It’s a very natural reaction to irritating or challenging conditions.
Anger only becomes an issue when it is overly shown and begins to interfere with your daily life tasks and interpersonal relationships. Anger may range in intensity from annoyance to downright menace. It might be excessive or illogical at times. It may be challenging to keep your emotions in check in certain situations, which may drive you to behave in ways you would not normally behave.
Identify Anger in yourself and others
Anger does not appear the same in every person since we all express it differently. For example, screaming may be an outlet for anger, while others may express it physically by assaulting an item or even another person.
Anger is a common human emotion, but it’s crucial to find appropriate outlets for it, so we don’t alienate those around us. It is also essential for your mental health to express your anger healthily.
Characteristics of Anger
When we become furious, our bodies undergo hormonal and physiological changes. Biological alterations that your body may experience include:
- Muscle strain has increased
- Enhanced energy levels
- Adrenaline and noradrenaline levels rise
- High blood pressure
- Elevation of body temperature
Anger is not the same in everyone; we all exhibit it differently. However, you may observe the following visible traits when you are upset.
- Fists clenched
- Raise of hands
- Trembling physically
- Scowling or frowning
- Excessive sweating
- Fast heartbeats
- Excessive pacing
Physical Signs of Anger
Anger, like many other strong emotions, causes physical changes in the body. Allowing anger issues to fester might endanger your entire health. Some bodily manifestations of anger-related problems include:
- Fatigue
- Head or sinus cavities pressure
- Tingling
- Heart palpitations or chest tightness
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
Emotional Signs of Anger
You may believe that the emotional symptom of anger-related difficulties is only anger, but a variety of emotional states may signal that you are failing to cope with anger in a good and healthy manner. Emotional symptoms include constant irritation, wrath, and anxiety.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, having difficulty organizing or regulating your thoughts, or fantasizing about injuring yourself or others, you may suffer from an anger disorder or another problem.
Causes of Anger
A person’s surroundings are a significant source of anger. Stress, financial problems, abuse, impaired social or familial conditions, and time and energy constraints can all develop anger. Anger difficulties, like alcoholism, may be more frequent in those whose parents reared with the same disease.
1 – Stress
When people are stressed, they might develop irritability and anger. Higher levels of anger are linked to both mental stress and an increased risk of a stress-related heart attack.
2 – Financial issues
Anger aimed at yourself or others might be triggered by financial hardship. Arguing with the people closest to you about money, problems sleeping, feeling angry or afraid, mood changes, exhaustion, muscular discomfort, lack of appetite, diminished sex desire, and withdrawing from others are all symptoms of financial stress.
3 – Relationship issues
Anger can be devastating to a relationship. Those who live with and love someone prone to anger might become engrossed in attempting to find fault. In addition, anger may be contagious as a sign of something deeper and more complicated, and both persons in the relationship are frequently furious.
4 – Workplace problems
Being mistreated is the most prevalent source of workplace anger. We will not accept being the victim of immoral behavior such as laziness, stealing, or being insulted by our coworkers.
5 – Drug abuse
Aggression can be triggered by drugs that modify the neurotransmitters dopamine,gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), norepinephrine, and serotonin. Alcohol, anabolic steroids, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, sedatives, and hallucinogens are some of the substances that can cause anger.
6 – Genetics
Genetics and your body’s capacity to deal with specific chemicals and hormones also affect how you deal with anger; for example, if your brain does not respond correctly to serotonin, you may find it more challenging to control your emotions.
Types of Anger
Anger disorders can manifest in people who have difficulty managing their anger or experience anger outside their usual emotional range. Even though different specialists have produced contradictory lists of anger varieties, several commonly acknowledged kinds of anger include:
1 – Passive Anger
As the name indicates, passive anger is characterized by angry emotions that are suppressed for the time being. It is exhibited in the form of sarcasm, veiled insults, or snarky remarks. Your mind unconsciously starts belittling the person you are angry at!
Internalizing passive anger also exists. This is especially true if you have suppressed your anger to the point where you are unaware you are upset.
2 – Explosive Anger
Explosive anger is characterized by recurrent, unexpected episodes of impulsive, aggressive, violent conduct or furious vocal outbursts in which you respond dramatically out of proportion to the situation.
3 – Volatile Anger
Volatile anger is characterized as an unexpected outbreak of anger. It happens from time to time, and the “volatile individual” may be upset long after the incident has gone.
Like a volatile liquid, the emotion expresses itself as a burst of behavior that emerges unexpectedly and surprises everyone.
3 – Frustration-Based Anger
When frustration-based anger is directed against a loved one, it is similar to fear-based anger.
We have the highest expectations and wishes for the people we care about the most. So when we see someone failing to live up to what we believe to be their full potential, we become irritated, and that frustration may all too easily turn into wrath.
4 – Fear-Based Anger
It is often easier to be angry than terrified. This is especially true when we are concerned for the safety of a loved one.
After all, no one can harm us more than those we love. As a result, when we observe them acting in potentially harmful ways, we may react with anger rather than fear.
Furthermore, anger frequently produces outcomes, at least momentarily. For example, we may unintentionally or actively direct our anger at a loved one to startle them out of the behaviors that frighten us.
5 – Chronic Anger
Chronic anger is typically pervasive 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.
6 – Repressed Anger
Repressed anger occurs when anger is not addressed and avoided. It can lead to self-harm, poor self-esteem, self-sabotaging tendencies, physical pains, and relationship issues.
7 – Overwhelmed Anger
Overwhelmed anger, as the name suggests, is caused when it becomes impossible for the individual to cope with the circumstances. This type of anger is associated with frustration when the person gives up on the situation or feels helpless.
8 – Pent-Up Anger
When anger is not expressed, it is referred to as pent-up anger, and it can result in conflict, physical abuse, serious fights, and self-harm.
Angry people are usually reacting to underlying feelings of worthlessness or frustration, which leads to negative behaviors. If their feelings explode, it is often because there appears to be no other way to release them.
9 – Righteous Anger
This is the type of productive anger with a purpose. It’s the type of anger that drives you to action, whether righting a wrong or defending the weak and helps to improve the world.
10 – Physiological Anger
Anger is more than just a psychological emotion. It can also have a physical foundation. Low blood sugar, for example, is frequently the source of the new keyword “hangry,” as in “hungry/angry.” For example, imbalances in brain chemical or hormone levels can easily lead to anger, as can other disorders.
So, if you become irritated for no apparent cause, schedule an appointment with your doctor!
Examples Of Anger
Yelling, arguing, swearing, and sarcasm are examples of verbal expressiveness. Anger can also be physically conveyed by raising a clenched fist, throwing a punch, or acting violently.
You can experience anger on the road due to traffic jams where you steam and violently bang on the horn. Another example of anger is acting out after a workplace or family dispute.
Sometimes, you can act out by being violent and even throwing stuff to release anger, but these examples explain the destructive approach to releasing anger.
How To Cope Up?
You’re probably wondering how to deal with anger constructively. Dealing with anger can be difficult and time-consuming, but incorporating the following tactics into your everyday life will make it much simpler to regulate your anger.
1 – Start Meditating
Simple relaxation techniques, such as meditation, can help shift thoughts away from anger and irritation during triggering events, mainly when used consistently. For example, assume you’re in a relationship with a hot-tempered partner. In such a situation, both of you could benefit from practicing meditation.
2 – Do Regular Exercises
Sometimes dealing with your anger is easier than you believe. As your anger develops, go for a healthy run, a brisk stroll, or indulge in another preferred physical activity. Neurochemical stimulation can make you feel calmer and more pleased than before you exercised.
3 – Opt for Anger Management Class
If your anger is out of control, you should seek medical assistance. Then, enroll in an anger management course to learn how to regulate your emotions. Assume your employment does not permit you to attend physical education lessons. You can then enroll in an online anger management class at your convenience.
4 – Talk to a Therapist
A therapist can assist you in identifying what triggers your anger and how you typically respond to these situations. You can also learn new strategies to deal with explosive anger with the help of a therapist.
5 – Write your thought in a journal
Journaling allows you to relax and develop mindfulness while also evaluating your ideas. Furthermore, this may help you become aware of any triggers or patterns related to your anger.
6 – Calm yourself with music
Music therapy may help with anger management. Music is a crucial treatment component in anger management programs for teens and adults. Listening to music may make many individuals feel better. Music can either relax or raise emotional awareness.
Frequently Ask Questions
Can anger make you ill?
Yes, anger can cause multiple physical and mental complications, including anxiety, high blood pressure, cardiac stroke, stress, and depression.
Do men and women experience anger differently?
Men and women react to anger differently. In the case of men, the anger outburst is explosive and volatile, while the female population commonly exhibits repressed and pent-up anger symptoms.
Which personality traits are linked to anger?
The trait-level components of anger expression were connected to neuroticism and agreeableness. The more focused parts of anger expression were linked to conscientiousness and extraversion.
Why does anger sometimes feel good?
As anger help, you release pent-u emotions, and you can express your feelings; the anger outbursts can leave you feeling relaxed. Understanding the difference between expressing your anger constructively and destructively is crucial so you can select a productive approach to release it.
What are the consequences of continual anger?
Uncontrolled anger has long-term medical consequences, such as increased anxiety, elevated blood pressure, and headache.
Conclusion
Answering the question “what is anger”, we now know that anger is an emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. It may benefit you, your community, your relationships, and the globe when it is under control.
However, if you struggle with anger and do not handle it, it can destroy your life and lead to a life of regret. As a result, we propose you seek professional assistance and adopt some anger management practices, such as exercise, meditation, journaling, etc. It will assist you in controlling your anger and leading a tranquil and healthy life.
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.
Responses