Anger is a natural emotion that everyone occasionally feels. Expressing your anger can even be therapeutic. Not everyone, though, is capable of maintaining emotional control. Uncontrolled rage is certainly unpleasant, but dealing with the consequences can be far more uncomfortable.
If you or somebody you know frequently finds themselves in such a scenario, it may be time to determine if there is a significant issue with controlling your anger.
Normal, day-to-day anger and issues with anger management are two different things, and the way we should approach them is also very distinctive.
It’s normal to vent your anger occasionally. This is a sign from our bodies that something is amiss and is an automatic psychological response to particular circumstances. Sometimes we may even be compelled to act as a result of it. But rage, passive aggression, bitterness, and physically or verbally abusing others are some destructive ways that people express their anger.
Being around someone who is always angry is a draining, heartbreaking chore. They are miserable, irrational, and frequently bothered by physical aches and discomforts brought on by their tumultuous emotions. Most troubling of all, angry people regularly continue to deny having anger management problems.
Here are some of the most widespread signs that you could be having issues controlling your anger. Don’t be upset if you see yourself in them. Payback. By that, we do not mean seeking revenge but rather balancing and putting your life into order. Stay calm; take a breath. You can handle this.
#1 Outbursts of Rage
Outbursts are common in those who struggle with rage. As a mental health disorder, anger can worsen and involve abrupt outbursts of violence, impulsivity, or disruptive conduct. If you struggle with anger management, you can unintentionally smash things, hurt people or animals, get angry on the road a lot, or have temper tantrums. Your education, job, and relationships will all be badly impacted by this. Additionally, it could have legal repercussions.
Your aggressive episodes can also manifest as the following: chest pain, breathing quickly or palpitations, shaking, getting easily irritated, racing thoughts, and a lack of patience.
An angry person who is having an outburst of rage can also use aggressive physical and verbal behavior to express themselves.
#2 Your Rage Is Out of Proportion to the Current Situation
The occasional feeling of anger is quite normal. But it’s not okay if you find yourself losing it completely, especially if it’s a minor issue.
People who are dealing with anger management problems tend to get mad really easily over small things. For example, you lost your keys in the house and you can’t find them. It is understandable that this is an unpleasant situation, especially if you are in a hurry. Getting upset at this situation is completely normal. Usually, people overcome this kind of event and go on with their lives.
But a person who can’t deal with their anger might go completely mad, start a fight with everyone who is in the house, miss their appointment, and think about this event for longer than they should. Sometimes for several days.
If you find yourself losing your mind over small and unimportant things, it might be a clear sign that you have some problems with anger management.
#3 You Criticize Others a Lot
People who are angry frequently project their emotions by criticizing others and their work. They do that because they have very low self-esteem. It is a good way for them to try to manage their emotions in this manner because it normalizes their anger issues.
Many times, they act like they have the option to decide what they want to see in others, and they seem to prefer focusing on the negative traits.
To put it another way, those who are angry tend to blame others for their own shortcomings in order to spare themselves the pain of realizing they are owning up to them.
#4 You Suffer From Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anger often coexist. “Depression is anger turned inward,” as Sigmund Freud once stated.
People who are angry often self-destruct. They frequently act passive-aggressively and withdraw in order to vent their sorrow. They often arrive late, hurt others, and sabotage their own closer relationships.
Many times, they are also struggling with anxiety. Due to their anger, they are perpetually in a fight-or-flight position. They may be caught in a cycle of anxiety because of how their bodies are responding to their anger.
These folks can only express their frustration and stress through fury. Their chance of happiness is ultimately destroyed as a result of their anger.
Simply put, those who are angry suffer greatly and scare off a lot of people with their behavior.
#5 Your Anger Lasts for Too Long
When angry outbursts linger for a prolonged period of time, it is one of the obvious indicators of an anger management issue.
As an example, suppose you were upset by someone on your way to work and you were still upset at the end of the day. This difficulty in letting go of things quickly and easily is a common issue for people who are having trouble controlling their anger.
This is not only emotionally harmful, but it is also physically exhausting to keep your body in that state for the majority of the day.
#6 You Are Jumping to Conclusions
Maybe you found yourself thinking more than once that you could anticipate the thoughts and feelings of others, but you were obviously wrong. This is called, in a casual manner, “jumping to conclusions” and is a common trait of people with anger issues.
Acting in this manner is frequently an enabler of conflict, and it only snowballs from there. Nothing good can happen when you jump to conclusions.
This typically manifests as you thinking you know why somebody wanted to annoy you or ignore your demands without hearing their spoken justifications. Usually, the other person does not want to bother or upset you. Maybe they were busy, and that’s why they didn’t answer your calls. Take a deep breath and try to be aware that, in general, the world is not against you.
#7 Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol consumption, according to studies, makes people more aggressive. 50% of all violent criminal offenses include alcohol as a significant factor.
Alcohol abuse or alcoholism is defined as regular or excessive alcohol consumption. Drinking impairs your ability to think objectively and make rational decisions. Your capacity to restrain urges may suffer, and you may find it harder to control your emotions.
A drink may seem like a fantastic method to unwind and relax if you’re frustrated or stressed out. However, consuming alcohol is equally likely to exacerbate your anger control issues if you already have them. While some people react to alcohol by feeling depressed, others react to the neuroinflammation caused by alcohol consumption by becoming irrationally angry.
Consider seeking assistance from a mental health professional if you feel your rage is out of control or if it is having a negative impact on your life or relationships.
If you have anger management problems that need to be treated, a mental health expert can assist in identifying any underlying mental health conditions that you may have.
Anger management can include behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, anger management classes, and support groups.
If you liked this, you may also want to check out the following article: 10 Subtle Signs of Anxiety You Shouldn’t Ignore.
