Anger is a normal human emotion that all of us feel from time to time. But for some people, anger can quickly get out of control and turn destructive, causing problems and chaos in relationships, functioning, career, school, and the quality of your life.
Often anger can be a secondary emotion to sadness or another underlying condition. For an individual who struggles with anger management, constantly finding the root of the problem cannot be done without help or intervention.
Anger is an emotional state that can vary from mild irritability to intense rage. Feelings of anger are accompanied by changes in the body, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, hormones, and adrenaline.
Anger can result from internal or external events. Fits of rage could be brought on by interactions with other people, situations, or memories of past experiences.
It is natural to want to express anger in an aggressive nature. Anger is a natural intuitive feeling that allows us to protect ourselves from danger and is an adaptive response to the threat. Healthy individuals can respond to and channel anger in productive, minimally harmful ways. For those that do not possess the emotional regulation tools to manage anger and other uncomfortable feelings, their expression of anger may lead them to experience extreme negative consequences.
Adapted from Clinical Anger Scale (CAS)
Responses should be based on behavior over the past 90 days
NOTE: Addiction is progressive, chronic and 100% recoverable when treated.
Disclaimer: This screening is not designed to make a diagnosis or take the place of a professional diagnosis
consultation. Use this brief screening tool to help determine if further action is recommended.
For help in selecting the proper level of treatment in your area please contact our office.
There is no one cause for a person to experience anger issues. There may be underlying issues or, very simply, low tolerance for discomfort and frustrations. The following are some possible causes for problems with anger
Depression: Overtly expressed anger can be a symptom of depression. Depression is a mental illness characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and apathy. Irritability and trouble managing everyday life situations resulting in extreme anger could be related to depression.
Trauma: Suppressed and unresolved symptoms of facing and experiencing a traumatic event can cause an individual to experience extreme anger and fits of rage. Children or adults who have faced neglect abuse, sexual assault, and abandonment may act out in anger due to pent-up pain and trauma. Feelings of powerlessness and lack of control can result in angry outbursts and constant frustration with even small things.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED): IED is a mental health disorder characterized by impulsive and aggressive behavior. It involves frequent episodes of verbal aggression or less frequent acts of destruction involving destructive and assaultive behavior that causes serious harm to people or property.
Anger can cause severe emotional and physical symptoms.
Physical Symptoms:
Emotional Symptoms:
Without intervention and help, having severe and problematic anger issues can cause extremely negative consequences in one’s life. Loss of employment, legal charges, and problems in relationships can affect not knowing how to manage anger healthily. There are various programs, therapies, and medications that may help control your symptoms and help individuals learn to cope with anger more effectively. Call Heather Fisher Recovery services today for more information on resources near you.
