If you are someone who lives with bipolar disorder, then you know that one of the most difficult things to deal with his anger. Anger is a normal emotion, but it can be especially challenging when it is part of bipolar disorder. In this blog post, we will discuss what bipolar anger is and offer tips for staying calm during an outburst.
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What Is Bipolar Anger?
Bipolar anger is defined as a heightened sense of irritability, frustration, and anger. That is out of proportion to the event or situation triggering it. Bipolar disorder and anger are common symptoms. And, it’s one that can be very destructive to relationships, work, and quality of life.
Bipolar anger can present itself in many different ways. For some people with bipolar disorder, it may manifest as passive-aggressive behavior. Or, giving the silent treatment. Others may become verbally or physically abusive when they’re feeling angry.
Moreover, this is defined as a symptom of mania. Mania is one phase of bipolar disorder. And, during this phase, people may experience an elevated mood. They may also have more energy and less need for sleep. When people are in a manic phase, they may act impulsively and recklessly.
Eventually, this bipolar anger can lead to several problems in life. And affects the quality of life for the person with bipolar disorder, as well as those around them. So, it is essential to pay attention to it and calm yourself.
What Are The Signs Of Bipolar Anger?
There are several signs that may indicate someone is experiencing bipolar anger. These include:
- feeling irritable or “on edge” most of the time
- having a quick temper
- being easily agitated or angered
- engaging in risky or harmful behaviors when angry, such as driving recklessly or destroying property
- experiencing physical symptoms when angry, such as increased heart rate or clenched fists
The negative consequences are really the biggest problem with uncontrolled bipolar anger. When you have bipolar disorder, your emotions can be all over the place. You may feel happy one minute and then suddenly become angry or depressed the next. This can make it difficult to control your emotions, which can lead to problems in your personal and professional life.
Moreover, the signs are related to mania or hypomania. Because people with bipolar disorder often experience manic or hypomanic episodes. They may be more likely to experience uncontrolled anger during these periods.
If you are experiencing any of these signs, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can help you develop a treatment plan to manage your bipolar anger.
What Causes Bipolar Anger?
As anger and bipolar can be linked, it’s important to understand the causes. Some of the causes of bipolar anger include;
Genetics
Although the cause of this condition is unknown, it is believed that genetics may play a role. This is so because studies have shown that bipolar disorder often runs in families. In fact, people with first-degree relatives (such as a parent or sibling) with bipolar disorder are four to six times more likely to develop the condition than those without such a family history.
Brain Structure and Functioning
Studies have also revealed that people with bipolar disorder tend to have different brain structures and functions than those without the condition. For example, they may have a smaller hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory. They may also have a higher sensitivity to stress.
Environmental factors
These factors are thought to trigger or worsen the symptoms of bipolar disorder. For example, if you’re exposed to a lot of stress, it may trigger a manic episode. Moreover, if you have a history of trauma, it may also lead to the development of bipolar disorder.
So, these are some causes that may lead to bipolar anger. Moreover, there are certain triggers that may worsen the symptoms. Some of these triggers include;
- Stressful life events
- Certain medications
- Sleep problems
- Substance abuse
Triggers can be different for different people. It’s important to identify your triggers and try to avoid them. Also, if you think that you’re about to experience a trigger, try to take some preventive measures.
What Are The Ways For Staying Calm?
When you feel like your anger is about to boil over, it is important to stay calm. If you can, remove yourself from the situation and take some time to cool down. Here are some tips to help you stay calm:
Deep Breathing
Try to take deep, slow breaths. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. This will help to slow down your heart rate and hopefully calm you down. Moreover, deep breathing has a plethora of health benefits, so it is always good to practice it when you can.
Visualization
Another method that can help to calm you down is visualization. Try to picture yourself in a peaceful place. It could be somewhere you have been before or somewhere that you have only imagined. Focus on the details of the scene and try to make it as realistic as possible. This will help to take your mind off of whatever is making you angry and hopefully allow you to relax.
Count To Ten
This is a classic method for dealing with anger, but it can be effective. Start by counting to ten slowly. If you are still feeling angry after that, continue counting up until you reach twenty. This will help to distract you from whatever is making you angry and give you a chance to calm down.
Talk To Someone
If you are feeling really angry, it can be helpful to talk to someone about it. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone else too who you feel comfortable talking. Just getting your anger out can help you to feel better and hopefully allow you to calm down. Also, talking to someone can give you a different perspective on the situation and help you to see it in a new light.
Try A Mantra
This is a method that can be used in conjunction with deep breathing. Pick a short phrase or word that you can repeat to yourself. It could be something as simple as “relax” or “let it go.” Focus on saying the mantra and breathing slowly and deeply. This will help to calm your mind and body. In fact, this is a form of meditation that has many benefits.
Relax Your Muscles
When you feel angry, your muscles tend to tense up. This can make you feel even angrier and can lead to headaches or other problems. Try to consciously relax your muscles, starting with your face and working down your body. This will help to release the tension and hopefully allow you to calm down. Moreover, in bipolar anger, you will tend to have an increase in energy so it is important to find ways to release this tension.
Exercise
If you can, try to do some sort of physical activity. This will help to release the built-up energy and hopefully allow you to calm down. It does not have to be anything too strenuous, even a walk around the block can be helpful. Just getting your body moving can help to improve your mood.
Write It Down
Sometimes, writing down what you are feeling can help to calm you down. This can be in the form of a journal or just a letter to yourself. Writing can be therapeutic and can help you to get your anger out in a constructive way. It can also be helpful to look back on what you have written and see how far you have come. However, in bipolar anger, it is important to not dwell on the negative emotions and instead focus on the positive.
Avoid Substance Abuse
It is important to avoid turning to drugs or alcohol to deal with your anger. This will only make the problem worse and can lead to addiction. Instead, try to find healthy ways to deal with your anger. This could include talking to someone, exercising, or writing it down. Therefore, do not make yourself vulnerable to bipolar anger by abusing substances.
So, these are some helpful tips for dealing with bipolar anger. Remember, it is important to find what works for you and to be patient. It takes time to learn how to deal with your anger in a healthy way, but it is worth it. Just take one day at a time and focus on taking care of yourself.
Conclusion
To conclude, bipolar anger is a very real and serious symptom of mental illness. This condition is characterized by extreme mood swings, which can include periods of irritability, anger, and even rage. Practice these tips for staying calm during these episodes.
And always consult with a mental health professional if you are feeling excessively angry or out of control. Because bipolar anger can actually be a symptom of another underlying condition, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
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
