What Causes Anger Issues?

According to the American Psychological Association, “anger is an emotion characterized by tension and hostility arising from frustration, real or imagined injury by another, or perceived injustice. It can manifest itself in behaviors designed to remove the object of the anger (e.g., determined action) or behaviors designed merely to express the emotion (e.g., swearing)”.This article walks you through the different causes of anger and what it entails although, there are many causes not mentioned in the article.

Environmental Factors

One cause to anger issues are environmental factors. What was it like growing up for you? Were you raised around caretakers who outwardly expressed anger to get their needs met or, someone who got these needs met in passive-aggressive ways? Did you learn how to respond to your feelings in a reactionary way? The anger you’re experiencing could be due to environmental factors and what you saw and experienced growing up. It’s no wonder that people who have environmental factors in play often have difficulty controlling anger. The anger you’re experiencing could also be due to a present situation that is causing you pain and frustration. You’re not currently getting your needs or, wants met, or your boundaries are being crossed which are causing you anger.

Avoiding your Emotions Underneath Anger

Often, avoiding your emotions in order to not feel vulnerable can cause anger issues. Anger is often called a secondary emotion which, basically means that in order to not feel vulnerable or, exposed you avoid your feelings underneath and it manifests into anger. To find out the emotion that you’re feeling underneath the anger (primary emotion) ask yourself what you were feeling before the feelings of anger manifested. There is almost always a primary emotion that is experienced before the onset of anger. If you treat the primary emotion, the secondary emotion, which is anger, will likely lessen.

Needs not Being met

When there is an imbalance in life, anger issues can arise. For example, say that you spend the majority of your time at work. When you get home from a long day, your thoughts are consumed by work, and you are also catching up on what you didn’t get finished. You have little time for family or friends. You barely have time to take care of yourself let alone your dog or, health. It becomes difficult for you to control anger due to your needs not being met. If you are feeling angry and don’t know why, ask yourself if your life is balanced.

Negative Core Beliefs about Oneself

Having certain negative core beliefs about yourself can cause certain people, places, or situations to trigger you to feel angry. When triggered it might be difficult to control anger. If you have a negative core belief about yourself such as, “I’m stupid”, or “I’m worthless”, certain people or situations might trigger you to feel angry. For example, say you had to make a class presentation and during the presentation you froze, forgot what you were going to say, and people started laughing at you. You first felt bad about yourself and had certain thoughts pop into your head such as “what an idiot. I can’t believe I made a fool out of myself”. You then started to feel angry as a means to avoid the core emotion that you are feeling. This resulted in you yelling at the class, teacher, and blaming your teacher for your presentation “hiccup”.

Letting your Emotions take over Rather than Logic

Anger becomes a problem when you let anger take control rather than your logic. In Dialectical Behavioral Therapy there is a tool called “wise mind”. Wise mind consists of making decisions based on emotional and logical factors. It takes both parts into consideration. When it becomes difficult to control anger, it is likely because you are making a decision based on your emotional mind. When this happens, logic and rational goes out the window.

Conclusion

There are many different causes to anger as mentioned. This can include environmental factors, emotional avoidance, needs not being met, and negative core beliefs about oneself although, there are many other causes. If you would like to get to the bottom of your anger and learn new skills to control anger so, your life isn’t negatively impacted by the emotion, feel free to schedule your free 15-minute counseling consultation by clicking the link below.