Anger is a natural human response to a range of upsetting experiences or circumstances. But it’s not healthy to become enraged by even minor difficulties, or to remain angry long after the concern that originally upset you has been resolved. Understanding the signs of anger issues can help you determine if you need some help to regain control of your emotions.
What Are Anger Issues?
Anger issues is an informal term that usually describes a person’s inability to control how and when they express their anger. Possible signs of anger issues can include:
- Disproportionate or excessive anger
- Remaining angry even after a threat or problem has been addressed
- Inappropriate expressions of anger, such as throwing things or otherwise being physically destructive
- Using extreme anger as a standard response to any challenges or setbacks
- Frequently directing your anger toward people who aren’t responsible for the problem, which can be a way of shifting blame away from yourself
Types of Anger Issues
Since anger issues is an informal term, there isn’t a single, universally agreed-upon list of signs or types. However, the following are among the more commonly cited types of anger issues:
- Passive (or passive-aggressive) anger: This involves taking indirect actions, such as making snide comments or “accidentally” doing something that you know will upset another person, instead of addressing conflicts in direct and productive manner.
- Fear-based anger: Someone who struggles with fear-based anger may have a habit of lashing out at others as a way of expressing (or hiding from) their own fears. For example, if they have a fear of being abandoned, they may fly into a rage when they feel like they are not being properly appreciated by a friend or romantic partner. Fear-based anger can also fuel hate crimes that focus on victims’ race, ethnicity, sexual preference, or gender identity.
- Self-abusive anger: Though we typically think of anger issues in terms of outward expressions of rage, this type usually involves less obvious signs. Someone who struggles with self-abusive anger will direct their disappointment and disdain toward themselves, which may manifest via negative self-talk or self-harming behaviors.
- Volatile anger: This type of anger issue involves sudden intense outbursts that have no obvious causes, and that quickly subside. Volatile anger can undermine personal and professional relationships. It can also be a source of ongoing stress or anxiety for friends, family members, and colleagues of people who express themselves like this.
- Chronic anger: A person who consistently expresses contempt or animosity toward others may be exhibiting signs of chronic anger. Instead of basing their reactions on an honest assessment of a particular person or situation, people with chronic anger will immediately default to a contrarian or antagonistic perspective.
What Causes Anger Issues?
Sometimes, the signs of anger issues can also be signs of a mental illness. The inability to properly control or appropriately express anger is a common symptom of five mental health disorders:
- Intermittent explosive disorder (IED)
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Bipolar disorder
While not a fundamental symptom, anger issues have also been associated with other mental and behavioral health concerns, including:
Not everyone who exhibits poor anger management has a diagnosable mental health condition. Other potential causes of anger issues can include:
- Exposure to overwhelming stress
- Being bullied or otherwise harassed
- Being discriminated against or subjected to ongoing injustice
- Experiencing significant personal losses or professional setbacks
- Living with chronic pain or certain other medical conditions
How Do You Know If You Have Anger Issues?
Often, the last person to recognize the signs of anger issues is the person who has been exhibiting those signs. How can you tell if your anger is justified, or if you have a problem managing this intense emotion?
One way to gain insights into the appropriateness of your feelings and behaviors is to ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you often find yourself upset by events or situations that don’t seem to bother others?
- Do you regularly engage in verbal (or physical) confrontations with others?
- Once you begin to express your anger, do you find it difficult to control what you say or do?
- Even after a problem has been resolved, do you have trouble letting go of your anger or resentment?
- Do you frequently feel shame, guilt, or regret in the aftermath of an anger outburst?
- Has your anger caused problems for you at work, with friends, or in the context of romantic relationships?
- Has anyone who cares about you ever suggested that you may have a problem with anger management?
If you answered “yes” to any or all of the questions above, you may have anger issues. The ideal next step is to consult with your doctor or a qualified mental health professional. They can conduct a thorough assessment and, if necessary, discuss how best to address the problem.
Why Am I Always Angry?
As discussed previously in this post, there are many possible answers to the question, why am I always angry?
Your anger control problems may be related to a mental health disorder, untreated trauma, a medical problem, or a variety of particularly difficult experiences.
Also, if you were raised by people who frequently exhibited explosive anger – either due to their own mental health issues or as means of exerting control over others – you may have been conditioned to believe that such outbursts are normal ways of dealing with conflicts.
One of the many benefits of seeking professional help for anger management issues is that the treatment process can help you understand the underlying causes of your struggles. Anger issues are rarely standalone concerns – instead, they are almost always symptoms or effects of as-yet unidentified disorders or external triggers.
Knowing where your anger issues began can be a vital step in your efforts to gain greater control over your feelings and actions.
How Anger Issues Are Treated
Anger issues are typically treated with psychotherapy (talk therapy). Depending on your specific needs, the best course of treatment may involve elements such as:
- Individual, group, and family sessions
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
If your anger management issues are related to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or certain other mental health concerns, various types of prescription medication may also be beneficial.
Remember: There is no single type of treatment that works for every person with. What’s most important is to find a provider who develop a customized plan that reflects the full scope of your unique needs.
Contact Montare Behavioral Health to Treat Anger Issues
The Montare Behavioral Health network offers a full continuum of mental health services at several locations in Southern California and Arizona. If you have been struggling with anger management problems, our team can provide the focused services you need and the compassionate support you deserve.
To learn more about how we can help you, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
Published: 2/28/2025
