Can anger be a symptom of a mental health condition?

Think about it: When was the last time you got angry? Maybe your partner said something that really pushed your buttons. Maybe someone cut you off in traffic. Maybe your boss denied your request for time off.

Anger is a common experience that’s sometimes uncomfortable. But it’s a normal part of life for most people. In and of itself, anger isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes it can alert us to problems and shed light on things we want to change. But it’s how you express it that counts.

Some people have trouble controlling their anger. They might become hostile or upset quickly and have trouble managing their emotions when things don’t go their way. We all have moments in life when we do or say things out of anger only to regret them later. But if this is an ongoing problem for you or someone you care about, it could be cause for concern. Anger problems can be a sign of an underlying mental health condition that may require professional help.  

Why do you get angry?

A variety of mental health conditions are related to anger. Other common reasons for anger include: 

• Childhood experiences: Not having the love and support you deserved when you were young can leave you feeling robbed of a childhood. You might hold resentment toward the people who were supposed to care for you and keep you safe. While these events may be many years in the past, they can still make you angry.
• Parenting style and environment: If your parents were quick to get angry or modeled fighting as a solution to solving problems, you could’ve adopted some of those habits. The good news is that those patterns can be broken, and you can learn healthier ways to respond to anger.
• Traumatic events: Experiencing trauma such as bullying, racism, abuse, or neglect in the past can make certain situations more difficult in the present. Remember, none of these things are your fault. But you might still hold angry feelings about them now.
• Current stressors: Any number of things going on in your personal life or the world at large might make you mad. From unexpected losses to global injustice, there are always upsetting things happening. And when these situations are ongoing, anger can be difficult to resolve. 

What mental health conditions is anger a symptom of?

In addition to being a common feeling, anger can also be a symptom. There are a few mental health conditions that are associated with anger.

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED)

IED first appears during childhood and adolescence and causes problems with emotional and behavioral regulation. Its primary symptom is sudden, intense outbursts of aggression, verbal or physical, that are disproportionate to the situation and often feel uncontrollable to the person.

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

ODD is another condition that usually arises during childhood. It may be diagnosed when a child exhibits ongoing aggression and defiant, argumentative, or uncooperative behavior that’s extreme when compared with other children their age. Unlike occasional temper tantrums, ODD involves consistent difficulties with authority figures and can lead to significant challenges in academic, social, and family life.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)

Beyond just being in a bad mood, DMDD can cause extreme irritability in young people. It causes intense hostility, anger, and frequent outbursts. These behaviors significantly impact a person’s ability to function in daily life. Having DMDD may also increase a young person’s risk of developing anxiety or depression in the future.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

BPD is a condition that’s characterized by extreme emotional volatility and impulsivity. For some people with BPD, this can lead to frequent episodes of anger and aggression. Many people with BPD have a history of stormy or unstable relationships due, in part, to these behaviors.

Bipolar disorder

While not an officially recognized symptom of bipolar disorder, anger is a common experience for many people who live with this condition. Bipolar disorder causes major mood swings that are often referred to as highs and lows. These manic or hypomanic and depressive episodes can include a range of intense emotions, including anger.

Uncover the root cause of your anger with support

Remember, anger is a feeling that isn’t inherently good or bad. We wouldn’t seek a cure for other emotions like happiness or frustration. So similarly, there isn’t a cure for anger. However, if you’re struggling to get your anger under control, you can learn to respond to it in healthier ways with the right support.

When your anger is the result of a mental health condition, it’s important to seek professional help. Therapists who specialize in anger management help people uncover the root of their anger and manage it through a variety of therapeutic techniques. While no medication is approved to treat anger on its own, it can be helpful for some people who have conditions like depression or anxiety. You can always talk to your provider if you’re curious if medication might be right for you.

While not a replacement for therapy, there are some effective anger management strategies you can use on your own. For example:

1. Learn the signs. Pay attention to how your mind and body respond to anger. Knowing these warning signs can help you intervene before things escalate.
2. Take a pause. It sounds simple, but pausing before you speak can help you improve how you respond when you’re angry. 
3. Relax and unwind. Amid the hustle of daily life, it can be hard to find time to unwind. But making stress management a part of your everyday routine can help keep anger at bay. Things like deep breathing, journaling, and physical exercise can help.
4. Get to the source. Have you considered what’s making you feel so angry all the time? Knowing what’s causing you to feel this way can help you take positive steps to address it.
5. Forgive yourself. Remember, you’re only human and it’s OK to get angry sometimes. So if you fly off the handle and do or say something you regret, know that it doesn’t need to define you. Take steps to repair the situation (if appropriate) and try to make a different choice next time.

Find care with Rula

Anger is a natural emotion, and it’s something that everyone experiences once in a while. However, some people have trouble controlling their anger. This can be due to many different factors, from personal challenges to systemic concerns. Chronic or uncontrolled anger can also be a sign of mental health conditions that may require professional help to overcome. So if you or someone you love is having anger management problems, don’t hesitate to ask for help. 

At Rula, we work with a large network of providers who offer specialized treatment for all sorts of issues, including anger. When you need accessible, affordable mental health support, we invite you to check out our therapist-matching program. There, in just a few clicks, you can find a therapist who takes your insurance and make your first live video session for as soon as tomorrow. 

Find a therapist with Rula