What Mental Health Conditions Can Involve Intense Anger?

While anger can be a normal emotion that many individuals experience during their lives, frequent intense anger or uncontrollable outbursts may be a sign of a mental disorder. These episodes of anger can significantly affect relationships and daily functioning, often signaling an underlying cause that requires professional attention. Although anger may be present in numerous conditions, certain mental health disorders may feature intense anger more prominently. 

Mental health conditions that may involve intense anger

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), anger is a key criterion in five diagnosable mental health disorders:

• Intermittent explosive disorder
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder

While there may be other mental health conditions that involve intense anger, understanding these disorders and their symptoms may be important for controlling anger. Anger may play a different role in each of these disorders while varying in intensity and frequency. 

What is intermittent explosive disorder? 

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) can be characterized by outbursts of physical or verbal aggression that individuals may not be able to control. In many cases, these angry outbursts are a disproportionate reaction to the situation that triggered them. How often these outbursts occur can vary, but episodes often cause a significant level of distress for the individual with IED and their loved ones. 

Intermittent explosive disorder signs and symptoms

Individuals with intermittent explosive disorder may experience a variety of symptoms, such as:

What is disruptive mood dysregulation disorder?

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) can cause a person to experience an ongoing state of irritability and anger that may be punctuated by frequent emotional outbursts. The primary difference between DMDD and IED may be the frequency in which anger occurs. While individuals with IED may experience intermittent periods of extreme anger, those with DMDD can have a persistent sense of anger and irritability over a longer period of time. DMDD also typically affects children and adolescents, whereas adults may experience IED. 

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder signs and symptoms

The symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder may include:

• Chronic angry or irritable mood that lasts for the majority of nearly every day
• Tantrums or outbursts that have been ongoing for a period of at least 12 months
• Difficulty functioning at home or school due to irritability
• Severe outbursts that occur, on average, three times or more per week

What is oppositional defiant disorder?

Like DMDD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is typically diagnosed in children and adolescents. This disorder can be characterized by defiant, uncooperative, and hostile behavior. These behaviors are often directed at a child’s environment, including their parents and teachers or other children. 

Oppositional defiant disorder signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder may include:

• Refusing to listen to adults or authority figures
• Intentionally annoying or upsetting others
• Often having an irritable or angry attitude 
• Yelling or screaming
• Frequently arguing or refusing to complete certain tasks

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a condition that often involves depressive and manic episodes, which can each have their own distinct set of symptoms. However, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), one symptom that may often go unrecognized in bipolar disorder is rage. Rage may occur in multiple forms of bipolar disorder, including bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder. 

Bipolar disorder signs and symptoms

Besides anger, the depressive and manic symptoms of bipolar disorder may include the following:

What is borderline personality disorder? 

Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) may experience difficulty controlling their emotions and could engage in frequent impulsive behavior. BPD can also cause anger, which may be directed at oneself, one’s surroundings, or loved ones. In some cases, this anger can be difficult to control and may be accompanied by feelings of dissociation or disconnect. 

Borderline personality disorder signs and symptoms

Other signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder may include: 

• Difficulty maintaining a consistent sense of self
• Fear of abandonment
• Rapid changes in mood
• Feelings of emptiness
• Paranoia 
• High blood pressure

Can anger management help with these conditions?

While the efficacy of anger management can vary by condition, research suggests that these techniques may be effective at decreasing anger. In a 2024 meta-analytic review, researchers analyzed 154 studies involving a total of 10,189 participants to test the effectiveness of techniques designed to decrease arousal. They found that arousal-decreasing activities decreased aggression and anger, and the effects were stable over time.

Anger management techniques that may be effective

Although there may be numerous anger management techniques that could be effective, the study above mentioned three specific methods: meditation, mindfulness, and deep breathing. 

• Meditation: Meditation may help individuals calm down and relax by focusing their attention inward. This practice may help to decrease arousal states, reduce heart rate, and lower blood pressure, all of which may help people manage their anger. 
• Mindfulness: Mindfulness can involve a variety of techniques that are meant to help individuals observe their thoughts without judging them, which may allow them to interrupt anger responses. Mindfulness practices may increase a person’s sense of patience and reduce impulsivity, both of which can contribute to an overall reduction in anger. 
• Deep breathing: Like meditation, deep breathing can help to reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure, which can address some of the physical symptoms of anger. Breathing exercises can also activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which can reduce stress and prevent an anger situation from escalating.

Are there other ways to treat the symptoms of these conditions?

Each of the conditions mentioned above may have their own treatments, which may involve coping techniques, medications, and therapy. In some cases, individuals may benefit from supplementary methods, such as support groups. However, it is typically better  to contact a mental health or medical professional to receive a diagnosis first, as they can often determine which treatment is the most effective. 

Treatments for mental health conditions involving anger

There are a variety of mental health treatments that may help those with anger and anger-related disorders, including those that are provided through hospitals or individual practice. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), three therapies that may be beneficial are cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and family therapy.  

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT may help individuals to identify patterns of thought that may contribute to their anger and its associated behaviors. A CBT therapist can use techniques like cognitive restructuring to help someone change cognitive distortions, which may help them become less verbally or physically aggressive. They may also gain awareness of anger triggers to avoid potential outbursts. 
• Psychodynamic therapy: Psychodynamic therapy can allow individuals to reflect on the underlying causes of their anger. This therapy may involve discussing the challenges a person is facing in their daily life that may contribute to their anger, as well as any fears they may be using anger to conceal. 
• Family therapy: For individuals experiencing anger in family settings, family therapy may provide a way to have discussions with a neutral third-party present. Family therapy can help family members improve their communication and conflict-resolution skills, while also lowering stress levels and creating a better home environment. 

While these and other types of therapy could help individuals experiencing intense anger, in-person forms of therapy may not be available to everyone. Some individuals may live in an area with few mental health professionals, which could make finding a therapist challenging. Others may lack reliable transportation or prefer to discuss their anger through other communication formats, such as texting, calling, or video chats. In these and many other situations, alternatives like online therapy may be beneficial. 

Research shows that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy. In a 2022 study, researchers compared data from 12 randomized controlled trials with 931 patients in total. They found no significant differences between online therapy and in-person therapy when measured by a variety of metrics, including symptom severity after treatment, overall improvement, working alliance, function, and client satisfaction.

Takeaway 

While many individuals experience anger at certain points during their lives, consistent or uncontrollable anger may be a symptom of a mental health condition. There are a variety of mental health conditions that can involve anger, including intermittent explosive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. The role that anger plays in these disorders can differ, with some people experiencing intense anger intermittently (such as with intermittent explosive disorder) or consistently (such as with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder). 

While anger management techniques may be effective, it may be beneficial to seek the assistance of a medical or mental health professional if you’re experiencing challenges with anger. In many cases, these professionals can provide a diagnosis and design a treatment plan that can help to address your symptoms. These treatments can vary and may involve the use of medication or specific therapeutic approaches. Take the first step toward getting support with intense anger and reach out to BetterHelp.