Unhealthy anger is intimately linked with other emotions and behaviours. A person prone to fits of rage might be more comfortable with other people exhibiting similar behaviour, as evidenced by a tendency to select as friends and mates people who are easily angered. To keep an eye out for an anger management issue, look out for these symptoms.

Extreme Reactions to Any Sort of Negativity

People who struggle with anger management issues often tend to overreact to any sort of negativity. For example, they are more likely to be prompted to scream and yell when someone else speaks in a negative tone of voice.

They might also be quick to get their feelings hurt when someone subtly criticizes them. Even though this isn’t a very healthy way to respond, it’s a way that many people with anger issues have learned to respond to the world, and it’s typical for people who struggle with anger management problems.

Physical Aggression

In addition to being verbally aggressive, people who struggle with anger issues tend to be physically aggressive when angry or upset. When someone who has an anger management issue gets upset, they will often resort to hitting, punching or kicking things.

They might break things that belong to other people or even hit other people in fits of rage. A person prone to anger issues may even have a history of domestic violence, either on the receiving end or on the giving end.

Difficulty Quitting an Argument

Many people with anger issues have difficulty knowing when to quit an argument. They tend to get “stuck” on a topic and continue talking about it even when the other person is not interested in continuing the conversation.

For this reason, they might have a difficult time resolving arguments with a spouse or a partner. They also might have a difficult time resolving fights with their children or other people close to them.

Passive-Aggressive Behavior

Anger management issues can sometimes be accompanied by passive-aggressive behaviour. This means that when the person feels that they are being angry or rejected, they might lash out not through loud or apparent expressions of anger but by withdrawing from the conversation or refusing to participate.

For example, they might respond with a complete lack of interest or with an argument when asked to do a chore. In extreme cases, the person might take revenge on the other person by doing the opposite of what they were asked to do.

Immature Responses

People with anger management issues tend to have more immature responses to conflict than healthy adults. They have a hard time keeping in mind that their partner or child is only human and that people make mistakes.

For this reason, many people with anger issues will respond to an occasional mistake by becoming very critical of their partner or child or by threatening to withhold what they want or need.

Conclusion

Having an anger management issue can be incredibly disruptive to a person’s life in various ways. Anger issues can damage relationships and make it very difficult to have healthy friendships or other relationships. They can also cause serious problems in the workplace, as most employers won’t tolerate employees who are prone to outbursts for very long.

Anger issues also have a way of coming back to haunt a person. Even after a person has learned to control their anger, they might find that they are still dealing with the consequences of previous angry outbursts. The good news is that there are ways to manage anger issues; for those who continue to struggle with anger issues, there are therapy options that can help a person deal with their anger more healthily.

If you need counselling in Guelph, reach out to Chettiar Counselling & Associates. We are here to offer you support in managing addiction, anxiety, depression, and more. Book an appointment today.