The Dangers Of Extreme Anger

Anger is an emotion that an individual may experience when they feel threatened, hurt, or otherwise provoked. Anger may not always be a toxic or harmful emotion. In some cases, anger can be motivating. It can inspire people to take action and do things they may lack the courage to accomplish. However, extreme anger can come with potential issues and dangers, such as strained relationships, physical and mental health issues, and engaging in actions you may later regret. 

When someone has reached a point of excessive anger, it may mean they're struggling with self-control. Anger of this nature can also indicate a more significant issue, such as a mental health disorder. It can be crucial to learn how to healthily manage anger before it reaches an extreme level. One way to do this may be to work with a licensed therapist online or in person.

This article explores the implications of experiencing extreme or intense anger, including potential mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or intermittent explosive disorder that could be connected to these occurrences. We’ll also look at potential solutions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that can assist in anger management. 

Understanding extreme anger

In many cases, extreme anger can manifest after build-ups of various issues have remained ongoing. Aside from angry outbursts, most people don’t experience extreme, immediate outrage without there being a reason for it. There is typically an underlying cause that leads to extreme anger, and it’s likely that a catalyst triggered the extreme nature of the situation.

Unresolved issues as a child

Unresolved issues may be the most common cause of extreme anger. 

There can be many stages of anger. It’s often best to manage anger in its initial stages, but when this doesn't occur, problems can arise. Sometimes, an individual may lash out passive-aggressively until something sends them over the edge.

If you want to avoid extreme anger and the issues that can come with it, it can be helpful to try to manage and cope with emotions as they arise. If you are currently harboring any unresolved issues, it may be beneficial to try to cope with them as soon as possible and in a healthy manner.

Unresolved issues can linger for years. Topics from early childhood may not simply go away with time. As you grow up, they can become part of your personality. Many cases of extreme anger can be traced back to childhood trauma that was not addressed or handled in a way that allowed the person to heal and move on. In such situations, extreme anger may be a symptom of a more significant issue. 

Sometimes, moving forward from past experiences can mean working through things on your own, with your loved ones, or with a therapist. Sitting down with a licensed mental health professional can offer constructive, valuable tools to learn about your emotions and how you can manage them effectively.

What are the dangers of extreme anger?

There can be many specific dangers associated with extreme anger. By reviewing and understanding these dangers, you can take steps to prevent them.

Stress on interpersonal relationships

Extreme anger can put a strain on your relationships with other people. Often, part of living in this world and functioning in society is interacting with others. Everyone may have bad days sometimes, but if you're habitually demonstrating anger, it can push away those close to you.

When your interpersonal relationships are strained due to anger, damage can occur that may not be possible to repair. Sometimes, people experiencing anger may think they can manage themselves, but the anger can seep out in various ways. You may be unintentionally passive-aggressive toward your spouse. A client or business partner may feel you're giving them the cold shoulder. Over time, people who were once your friends may withdraw from you.

Loneliness

Life can be lonely without healthy interpersonal relationships. This may be one of the reasons why extreme anger should generally be managed before it spirals out of control.

Physical health issues

Extreme anger can contribute to various health issues, such as chest pains, migraines, headaches, increased blood pressure, and other complications. Physical health issues can ripple into other areas of your life as well. They may raise medical bills, negatively affect your mental health, and impact your life in other ways.

If you're struggling to manage extreme anger, it may be beneficial to your phsyical health to find a doctor who can provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.

Severe mental health issues

Extreme anger can increase your risk of living with various mental health issues. When you're constantly living with anger, it can impact the chemistry and functionality of your brain. Habitual, extreme anger may be linked to depression, substance use disorder, and low self-esteem.

Even if you believe your anger is under control and that you can suppress the more apparent indicators, it can still weigh on you internally. The aforementioned mental health issues can come with various signs and symptoms that may eventually manifest in the external world if your extreme anger is not addressed and resolved.

Doing something you may regret

It may only take a moment of extreme anger and loss of control to do something you regret and perhaps instantly wish you could take back. This could be physically assaulting someone, saying something you shouldn’t to a coworker, or behaving self-destructively. 

Afterward, you can apologize and try to make things right, depending on the nature of the situation. However, that doesn't usually take out your past actions or the consequences that can come with them.

Many people may have ruined their families, careers, opportunities, and even their entire lives because of something they did in anger. This can go back to self-control and how it can seemingly disappear when someone is experiencing extreme anger. In general, we are each accountable for our actions, regardless of our emotional state at the time they happen or any other challenges we may be living with.

How to avoid the dangers of extreme anger

The best time to manage extreme anger may be before it reaches excessive levels. Sometimes, this can mean walking away from a situation or individual when you know you need some air. If you're under circumstances that don't allow you to walk away, then counting to ten in your head or slowly breathing in and out may help.

Preventing extreme anger and coping with unresolved issues is often easier said than done. If you want to learn more about these subjects, working with a therapist can be beneficial. The idea of starting therapy can feel daunting, but joining an online therapy platform can make it simple. By completing therapy sessions online, you may feel empowered to get the help you deserve from the comfort and convenience of your own space or anywhere you have an internet connection.

Online therapy for intense anger

Multiple clinical studies have suggested that online therapy can be just as effective as (and, in some cases, more effective than) traditional face-to-face therapy. This may be partly because it often comes with added benefits, such as increased cost-effectiveness and the opportunity for people to feel more comfortable expressing intimate details of their lives. 

Takeaway

While the emotion of anger may not be inherently harmful or dangerous, extreme anger can come with various undesirable consequences. For example, those who often display extreme anger may put a strain on their relationships, develop various physical and mental health issues, and do things they later regret. However, it can be possible to work through the root of the anger and manage your emotions before they reach an extreme level. You may benefit from working with a licensed mental health professional who can help you gain insight and learn effective anger management skills.