Can An Anger Management Test Help You Understand Your Anger?

Content Warning: This article includes references to violence and other topics that may be considered triggering. Please proceed with discretion.

Anger can be a natural human emotion, particularly during moments of high stress or other intense feelings. It has been theorized that anger may have originated as a survival mechanism, acting as a motivating emotion to protect against threats and aggression. Although it can be normal to experience anger from time to time, difficulty controlling anger or managing it healthily may lead to potential negative effects, unwanted behaviors, and physical health impacts. However, there are a range of treatments available that may be helpful for learning to manage anger and its effects. Anger management tests, along with therapy, support groups, and other resources, can help individuals learn to manage their anger effectively. Online therapy is often a convenient way to seek professional insight from the comfort of your home.

What is an anger management test?

An anger management test can be defined as an assessment that may explore one’s anger levels and responses to anger. Its aim is typically to gain insight into potential challenges with anger. These tests may vary in length, content, and availability.

Although the test topic may be anger, these evaluations are typically framed around your feelings regarding various situations and relationships, with some asking you to rate your responses to different scenarios. You might encounter questions like, “Rate your anger on a scale of one to 10 in response to the following statements,” followed by a potentially anger-inducing situation and space to select an answer option.

Overall, an anger management test may help you identify:

• Which situations or stimuli tend to trigger anger
• How you express anger most frequently
• Other emotions that may contribute to anger
• Factors that increase the chances of an angry response
• How you feel about your anger
• Experiences that may have shaped how you experience anger

Some anger management tests are free, with evaluations provided automatically. Others may require a fee but may also offer more custom-tailored results, such as a brief personalized interpretation of your responses and what they may mean. Anger tests are typically fairly brief, ranging from 10 to 20 questions, although some may be more extensive and require more time to complete. 

What kinds of anger management tests are there?

Anger management tests may take a variety of forms, from short quizzes to longer, more in-depth assessments. 

There are several widely publicized anger tests that are sometimes used by mental health professionals, but these may also be possible resources for use at home. These generally include:

• The Clinical Anger Scale
• The Novaco Anger Scale and Provocation Inventory (NAS-PI)
• The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI)
• The Multidimensional Anger Inventory (MAI)

Does an anger test provide accurate results?

If you are considering taking an anger assessment, free anger test, or another form of anger evaluation, you may wonder whether these tests offer accurate results. The answer may vary depending on the situation, test type, and how the test was administered. It might be advisable to consider these tests as sources of possible insight but not diagnostic tools. 

If you are looking for an accurate and thorough anger evaluation, it may be worth seeking an opinion from a licensed therapist or another mental health practitioner. 

Anger: Signs and symptoms to note

Anger can be a powerful emotion, and understanding its potential negative side effects may be valuable regardless of whether you decide to take an anger management test. Because anger may also be a symptom of an underlying mental health condition, such as intermittent explosive disorder (IED), the following signs and symptoms may be worth being mindful of:

• Physical symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, or heart palpitations
• Anxiety or agitation
• Reliance on substances, such as alcohol or drugs
• Frequent conflict, either at home, at work, or in other daily interactions
• Physical violence, or the urge to be violent
• A feeling of losing control

If you are concerned about these or other symptoms, it may be advisable to consult a medical or mental health specialist for further guidance. 

Therapy for evaluating and managing anger

In certain circumstances, anger has the potential to cause serious problems. However, various resources and treatments may help individuals manage their anger and improve their quality of life. 

Therapy can be one such resource. A licensed therapist may be able to help those experiencing anger challenges explore their emotions in a neutral setting, identify possible triggers, and offer suggestions for managing anger without responding to it in unhealthy ways.

Benefits of online therapy

Attending in-person therapy for anger challenges may not always be feasible. Those whose anger is exacerbated by traffic or long drives, for instance, or those juggling busy schedules, may find it challenging to commute to a therapist’s office. In these situations, online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp may be a useful resource, offering the ability to attend therapy from wherever is most convenient. Additionally, the ability to send messages to a therapist asynchronously outside of normal therapy hours may also make online therapy an appealing alternative for those seeking extra support in managing anger in their daily lives.

Effectiveness of online therapy

A variety of studies support the effectiveness of online therapy. One study from 2023 found that therapy delivered over the internet could effectively reduce anger and aggression symptoms. Those seeking professional help handling their anger may rest assured that both in-person and online options can be effective forms of treatment. 

Takeaway

Although anger can be a normal human emotion, it may also have the potential to be problematic, depending on the circumstances. Those seeking to evaluate their anger may consider using anger tests. These tests may take various forms and can differ based on length, format, and other factors. While these assessments may help individuals gain additional insight into their anger symptoms and concerns, it may be advisable to also seek the opinion of a mental health professional. If you are experiencing challenges with anger and looking for additional support, you can get matched with a licensed therapist via BetterHelp to start your therapy journey.