Do you find yourself constantly angry? Are your relationships suffering because of it? If so, you may have a chronic anger problem. Chronic anger can damage your health and relationships, and it’s important to address it as soon as possible. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of chronic anger, symptoms to look out for, and treatment options. We will also provide tips for healthily managing your anger.
Contents
Defining Chronic Anger
Chronic anger is a pattern of angry feelings and behaviors that lasts for weeks, months, or even years. It is different from occasional anger, which everyone experiences from time to time. Chronic anger can be triggered by minor annoyances or major life stressors. It is often accompanied by other emotional problems, such as anxiety or depression. If left untreated, chronic anger can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and digestive issues. It can also damage your relationships and make it difficult to cope with everyday stressors.
Chronic anger is different from occasional anger, which everyone experiences from time to time. Chronic anger can be triggered by minor annoyances or major life stressors. It is often accompanied by other emotional problems, such as anxiety or depression. If left untreated, chronic anger can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and digestive issues. It can also damage your relationships and make it difficult to cope with everyday stressors.
Causes
There are many possible causes of chronic anger. Some people are simply more prone to angry outbursts than others. This may be due to:
Family history of anger or violence
If you were raised in a household where anger and violence were common, you may be more likely to struggle with chronic anger as an adult. Facing constant exposure to negative emotions can make a person feel hurt, upset and subsequently angry. In addition, if a person doesn’t receive appropriate love, affection and nurturing, it can also lead to feelings of frustration and anger.
Childhood trauma or abuse
If you experienced trauma or abuse as a child, you may be more likely to have chronic anger issues. This is because childhood trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a condition that can cause chronic feelings of anger, among other symptoms. Some instances which can make a person have prolonged angry emotions include bullying, cheating, robbery, or assault, among other instances.
Brain chemistry
Certain imbalances in brain chemicals can contribute to chronic anger. For example, people with low levels of serotonin are more likely to experience angry outbursts. Excessive stimulation of the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain, can also cause mismanagement and dysregulation of the hormones relating to anger.
Other health disorders
Various physical, as well as mental disorders, can cause chronic anger. For example, people with thyroid problems or sleep disorders are more likely to have issues with anger. Mental health disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression can also lead to chronic anger. Having to constantly deal with such disorders can also make a person feel frustrated, burdened and angry.
Substance abuse problems
People who are highly dependent on drugs or alcohol are more likely to have chronic anger issues. This is because substances can alter brain chemistry and lead to impulsive behavior. The financial and social negative perceptions relating to consumption of substances like alcohol, tobacco, nicotine or similar stuffs can also make a person feel anger.
Major life stressors
It is no secret that life is full of complications and stressful events. When an individual feels overwhelmed and can’t seem to manage these at a given moment of time, it makes them feel anger, resentment, guilt or long-due frustration. Some of the most common stressors include work/job expectations, financial issues, changing lifestyles, natural calamities, ageing, changing relationships, etc.
Symptoms
If you think you may have chronic anger, look out for the following symptoms:
- Feeling like you’re “walking on eggshells” around certain people or in certain situations
- Having a quick temper
- Often feeling angry or irritated for no reason
- Yelling or throwing things when angry
- Getting into physical fights when angry
- Comply with others out of fear of angering them instead of because you want to
- Experience problems at work or school due to your temper
- Have difficulty maintaining close relationships due to your anger
- Having difficulty controlling and managing your anger
- Lashing out at people close to you
- Experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches when angry
- Neglecting your responsibilities or hobbies
- Engaging in risky behaviors when angry, such as driving recklessly or drinking too much alcohol
- Experiencing various physical symptoms such as migraines, muscle tension, sleeping problems, stomachache, etc.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Effects On Daily Life
Chronic anger can have a major impact on your life. It can effect various areas of life. These include:
Work life: If you have chronic anger, it is likely that it will impact your work life. This is because angry outbursts can damage relationships with co-workers and bosses, and may lead to problems such as absenteeism or getting fired.
School life: Chronic anger can also affect your school life. If you are a student, struggling with chronic anger may make it difficult to concentrate in class or get good grades. It can also damage relationships with teachers and classmates.
Home life: Chronic anger can take a toll on your home life. If you have a family, your anger may strain relationships with your partner or children. In extreme cases, it may even lead to domestic violence.
Health: Chronic anger can also lead to health problems. For example, it can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other stress-related disorders. It can also worsen existing mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.
If you are struggling with chronic anger, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional. They will be able to help you develop a treatment plan that is right for you. With the proper treatment, you can learn how to manage your anger and improve your overall well-being.
Diagnosis
If you think you may have chronic anger, the first step is to see a mental health professional. They will ask about your symptoms and medical history. They may also give you a physical exam to rule out any other possible causes of your symptoms. If they believe you have chronic anger, they will likely diagnose you with one of the following conditions:
- Adjustment disorder with angry mood
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Conduct disorder
- Depressive disorders
- Intermittent explosive disorder (IED)
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
- PTSD
- Substance abuse disorders
Depending upon your diagnosis, the intensity, and frequency of your symptoms, a custom treatment plan will be developed to help you manage these conditions.
Treatment Options
If the symptoms of your chronic anger condition are starting to hinder your quality of life, it is important to seek the right treatment. This can be either by a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor by adopting some self-help coping strategies.
Professional Help
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for chronic anger. However, there are a variety of evidence-based treatments that can be effective in managing this condition. Some common treatment options include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This type of therapy can help you identify and change any negative thought patterns or behaviors that may be contributing to your anger.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This type of therapy focuses on teaching you how to deal with intense emotions healthily.
- Psychohealthilytherapy: This type of therapy can help you work through any underlying issues that may be causing your anger.
- Medication: In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other conditions that may be contributing to your anger.
Self Help Tips
In addition to professional help, there are several things you can do on your own to help manage your chronic anger. Some self-help tips include:
Identify your triggers: What situations or people tend to make you angry? Avoid these triggers if possible or find healthy ways to deal with them when they do occur.
Adopt healthy coping mechanisms: When you start to feel angry, try some deep breathing exercises, listen to calming music, or take a walk. It’s important to find something that works for you and that you can do at the moment.
Vent it out: Don’t bottle up your anger. Find a safe way to express it, such as writing in a journal or talking to a friend.
Practice relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and aromatherapy can help you calm down and focus on the present moment.
Exercise: Exercise can help reduce stress and improve your mood. It’s also a great way to release pent-up energy and frustration.
Talk to someone: Talking to a trusted friend or family member about your anger can help you gain insight into why you’re feeling this way and how to better deal with it.
If you are struggling to cope with your chronic anger on your own, seek professional help. A mental health professional can work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. They can also provide support and guidance as you work through this condition. Remember, you don’t have to suffer alone. There is help available. Seek treatment today
Conclusion
If you are struggling with chronic anger, know that you are not alone. There are a variety of effective treatment options available to help you manage this condition. Reach out to a mental health professional today to get started on the road to recovery.
For more information, please contact MantraCare. Anger is a powerful emotion that is experienced by every individual at some point in their lives. If you have any queries regarding Online Anger Counseling experienced therapists at MantraCare can help: Book a trial Online therapy session
