Suppressed anger is a common problem that many people face. This type of anger is often hidden and not expressed openly. It can be very harmful to your mental and physical health if it is not dealt with properly. In this blog post, we will discuss what suppressed anger is, the effects it can have on your life, and how to deal with it effectively.
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What Is Suppressed Anger?
Suppressed anger is a form of anger that is not expressed. It is often the result of feeling like you can’t or shouldn’t express your anger. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as feeling like it’s not appropriate to show anger in a certain situation or fearing the consequences of expressing anger.
This condition is different from repressed anger, which is when you are not even aware that you’re angry. With suppressed anger, you may be aware that you’re angry but choose not to express it. Some studies suggest that suppressed anger can lead to physical health problems. That includes high blood pressure, heart disease, and headaches.
Moreover, suppressed anger is often accompanied by other negative emotions, such as anxiety, sadness, and shame. This can make it even harder to deal with because you may not even realize that your anger is the root of these other problems.
If you think you might be suppressing anger, it is important to find healthy ways to express it. Suppressing anger can take a toll on your mental and physical health. It is also important to be aware of the signs of suppressed anger so you can identify it in yourself or others.
What Are The Signs Of Suppressed Anger?
There are a few signs that may indicate you are holding in anger. These include;
- feeling irritable or ‘on edge’ all the time,
- having difficulty sleeping,
- feeling tightness in your chest or jaw,
- and experiencing regular headaches.
The signs of suppressed anger can manifest in both physical and psychological ways. If you experience any of the above signs on a regular basis, it’s important to find healthy outlets for your anger.
Moreover, holding in anger can be detrimental to both your physical and mental health. It’s been linked with high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, and depression. In fact, studies suggest that people who repress their anger are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.
So, if you feel like you’re holding in anger, it is important to find healthy outlets to express it.
What Causes Suppressed Anger?
The causes of suppressed anger are many. Some of the major causes are listed below:
Traumatic Experience
This is one of the most common causes of suppressed anger. A traumatic experience can be anything from a car accident to sexual abuse. When we experience something that is so overwhelming, our minds will often shut down in order to protect themselves. This is a defense mechanism that allows us to survive the trauma. However, it also means that we may not be able to process the emotions associated with the experience.
History Of Abuse
In life, people have experienced abuse for different reasons. It could be due to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. These experiences can lead to suppressed anger because the individual may feel like they are not worthy of love or respect. They may also feel like they need to keep the abuse a secret in order to protect themselves or the abuser.
Suppressed anger is also common in people who had emotionally unavailable parents. These individuals may have felt neglected or abandoned by their parents. As a result, they may have developed trust issues and difficulty expressing their emotions. Also, they may have learned to suppress their anger in order to avoid conflict.
Chronic Illness or Disability
Anger is relatively common in people with chronic illness or disability. In fact, research has shown that anger is one of the most frequent emotions experienced by this population (Bonito, 2008). There are a number of reasons why anger may be more common in people with chronic illnesses or disabilities. First, dealing with a chronic illness or disability can be extremely frustrating. All too often, people with these conditions feel like they have no control over their lives.
This can lead to a feeling of powerlessness, which can in turn lead to anger. Additionally, chronic illness and disability often involve pain. And as we all know, pain can be a very frustrating and even angry-making experience.
Brain Injuries
This is often a cause of suppressed anger. People who have sustained brain injuries often report feeling angry more frequently than they did prior to the injury. This is likely due to the fact that brain injuries can cause a number of changes in the individual. For example, damage to the frontal lobe can lead to impulse control problems. This means that the person may have difficulty controlling their anger in the same way that they did before the injury.
So, these are some major causes of suppressed anger. It is important to keep in mind that not everyone who experiences these things will become angry. However, if you find yourself feeling angry more often than you used to, or if your anger is impacting your life in a negative way. Then, it may be worth seeking out professional help.
What Are The Consequences Of Suppressed Anger?
Suppressed anger is often a result of feeling powerless or stuck in a situation. The person may feel like they have no control over their life. And that makes them angry. This anger is then suppressed because the person does not want to face the pain or hurt that comes with it.
Suppressed anger can lead to problems in all areas of life, including:
Personal relationships
In relationships, suppressed anger can lead to communication problems, conflict, and resentment. This happens because the person is not able to express their anger in a healthy way. Moreover, suppressed anger can also lead to physical and emotional abuse.
Work performance
At work, suppressed anger can lead to problems with focus, productivity, and relationships with co-workers. This happens because the person is not able to deal with their feelings in a healthy way. In addition, it is believed that suppressed anger can lead to job burnout. And eventually, your work performance with suppressed anger will start to suffer.
Physical health
Suppressed anger can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, headaches, and other health problems. In fact, it is believed that suppressed anger is one of the factors that can lead to a heart attack. Because when you’re angry, your heart rate and blood pressure increase. And over time, this can damage your arteries and lead to heart disease.
Emotional well-being
It is often the case that suppressed anger leads to anxiety and depression. This is because the person is not able to express their feelings in a healthy way. When you’re angry, you may feel like you’re out of control and that can lead to anxiety. And when you’re depressed, you may feel like there’s no point in anything, which can make it difficult to deal with your anger.
Suppressed anger can cause a person to feel:
- isolated and alone
- frustrated and helpless
- anxious and stressed
- angry all the time
If you are feeling any of these emotions, it is important to understand that suppressed anger is the root cause. And it is important to find a way to deal with your anger in a healthy way. In fact, suppressed anger is one of the most destructive emotions a person can feel.
How To Deal With Suppressed Anger?
When you are suffering from suppressed anger, it can feel like you are constantly on the verge of exploding. Your chest feels tight, your head pounds and you might even find yourself shaking with rage. But you bottle it down because you don’t want to lash out and hurt the people around you. You might think that suppressed anger is better than expressed anger, but it can actually have a very negative impact on your health.
So what can you do to deal with your suppressed anger? Here are some tips to help:
Understand the condition of suppressed anger
This is the very first step to dealing with your anger. You need to understand that suppressed anger is not the same as expressed anger. Suppressed anger is when you bottle up your emotions and try to keep them inside. Expressed anger is when you release those feelings in a constructive way. Such as through writing or talking to someone.
Most people think that suppressed anger is better because it doesn’t involve any conflict. However, this isn’t the case. Suppressed anger can actually have a very negative impact on your health, both mentally and physically.
Recognize the signs of suppressed anger
When you decide to deal with your anger, then it is important to recognize the signs. These can include:
- feeling tense or on edge all the time,
- having a short temper,
- feeling like you’re always angry,
- lashing out at people for no reason,
- feeling like you’re not in control of your emotions.
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself, then it’s important to take action. In fact, it is also a step in the right direction.
Talk to someone about your anger
One of the best things you can do is talk to someone about your anger. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or even a support group. Talking about your anger will help you to understand it better and figure out how to deal with it. It can also be a way to release some of the tension you’re feeling.
In fact, talking to your loved ones and family members is more important than you think. As they can give you the support, love, and care that you need during this tough time. Moreover, you can share your feelings with them without feeling judged.
Use relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques can be very helpful when you’re dealing with suppressed anger. They can help to lower your stress levels and make you feel more in control of your emotions. Some great relaxation techniques include:
- yoga,
- meditation,
- breathing exercises,
- progressive muscle relaxation.
All of these techniques can be done at home and easily fit into your daily routine. Moreover, relaxation techniques can have a very positive impact on your overall health.
Write down your thoughts and feelings
Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a very cathartic experience. It can help you to understand your anger better. And eventually, figure out how to deal with it. Writing can also be a way to release some of the tension you’re feeling. It refers to journaling, which is a form of self-expression.
Moreover, writing can help to improve your mental health and well-being. So if you’re feeling angry, then make sure to grab a pen and paper and start writing. Even so, studies suggest that there are some benefits to venting your anger. But it is important to do it in a constructive way.
Practice physical activities
Physical activities are often overlooked when it comes to dealing with anger. But they can actually be very helpful. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. They can also help to lower your stress levels and improve your sleep quality. In fact, doing these activities can have a very positive impact on your mental health.
So if you’re feeling angry, then make sure to go for a walk, run, or bike ride. You can also try other activities such as swimming, hiking, or dancing. Moreover, physical activity can be a great way to release some of the tension you’re feeling.
Seek professional help
Professional help may be necessary if you find that you are struggling to control your anger on your own. A therapist can help you understand the root causes of your anger and develop healthy coping mechanisms. If you’re not sure whether or not therapy is right for you, consider talking to a trusted friend or family member about your feelings. They may be able to offer some helpful advice.
It’s important to remember that you are not alone in this. Many people struggle with anger management. With the help of a therapist or counselor, you can learn to control your anger and lead a happier, healthier life. You can contact Mantra Care for a list of anger management resources. It is a platform that connects individuals with mental health resources.
Be patient with yourself
Anger is a normal emotion and it can take time to learn how to deal with it in a healthy way. Be patient with yourself as you work on managing your anger. If you find yourself getting frustrated, take a step back and take some deep breaths. Remember that you are making progress and that each day is a new opportunity to practice anger management.
If you are struggling to control your anger, seek professional help. A therapist can help you understand the root causes of your anger and develop healthy coping mechanisms. You can also Mantra Care for a list of anger management resources. Be patient with yourself as you work on managing your anger. Remember that each day is a new opportunity to practice anger management.
Conclusion
To conclude, suppressed anger is a common emotion that can have detrimental effects on both our mental and physical health. It is important to be aware of the signs of this condition. Only then, you will be able to manage it effectively. Moreover, do not hesitate to ask for help from a therapist or counselor if you feel that you need professional assistance.
Additionally, do not forget to take care of yourself. Make sure to exercise, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep. Finally, do not forget to spend time with loved ones and do things that make you happy. By following these tips, you will be able to live a healthy and fulfilling life despite your suppressed anger. Hence, learn to manage your suppressed anger today!
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
