5 Ways to Cope with Anger Caused by Your Anxiety

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Coping with Anxiety and Anger Issues

Anger issues are my least favorite anxiety symptoms.

Let me deal with the racing thoughts and increased heart rate any day.

But as soon as I project my anxiety onto other people…that’s when I feel the worse.

But you know what? Anxiety is one hard mofo to try to control.

Must-Have Anxiety Checklist: 10 Essentials to Manage Your Anxiety

Anxiety and Anger as a Child

I’ll always remember feeling incredibly misunderstood as a child.

Like most kids, crying was my way of dealing with things.

But I always got reprimanded for crying as a child, and I never understood why.

I even remember being forced into diapers when I was 8 because of my “tantrums.”

But are tantrums just tantrums?

Or are they something deeper?

Looking back, I realize that my “tantrums” were nothing more than panic attacks of a kid who had no clue what was going on with their body.

And I never realized how much my anxiety caused my anger until a few years back.

Now I’m trying everything I can to try to combat both.

When you’re struggling with anger caused by anxiety, trying affordable online therapy is a great place to start!

5 Ways to Cope with Anxiety and Anger Issues

1. UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES

Lack of Control:

Those who have anxiety often feel that they’re not in control of things.

This often starts an unhealthy cocktail for disaster.

Fight or Flight:

Many people with anxiety experience the need to flee a situation.

Others take on the fight approach and feel an overwhelming urge to fight whatever is causing them anxiety.

Irritation: 

Anxiety is a disorder that causes an exceptional amount of irritation.

Irritation, more often than not, causes anger.

Blame Game:

A natural reaction to stress is assuming other people are causing it.

Especially when that stress is as hard to understand as anxiety is.

Anger Can Cause Anxiety

Keep in mind that anger can also cause anxiety.

In fact, Psychology Today says that anger “can override anxiety altogether”.

People with anger issues often experience a lot of anxiety, because they worry about their inability to control their anger.

This just further perpetuates the cycle of stress and anxiety.

So what can you do to help deal with your anger caused by anxiety?


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2. IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS

The next thing you can do is come up with a list of all your triggers.

What are the thoughts that get your mind pounding, and what sets your heart racing? What makes you panic? Are you aware of the things that make you angry?

Your list of triggers might go on and on and on, and they might even change depending on the day.

But that is totally okay. 

Anxiety may be a constant energy, but it is not a constant, singular thought process.

I am most triggered by going somewhere new and being in an unfamiliar spot.

I am also on very high alert when any of my OCD triggers are being flared up.

Even though I also have severe social anxiety, anger isn’t usually one of my symptoms of it.

More on anxiety triggers:

3. IDENTIFY WHAT CALMS YOU

On top of figuring what triggers your anxiety, try to figure out what helps calm you in these stressful times.

Is it music? Is it breathing exercises? What about coloring books or word search puzzles?

Trial and error is the best way to figuring out what works best for you.

I find writing, reading, and listening to positive affirmations completely changes my mindset.


Struggling with social anxiety? Hear these affirmations ↓


Also, note that what works for you today might not work tomorrow. 

Please try not to get discouraged. Remember, recovery is not linear. 

Overcoming anxiety posts:

4. TELL OTHERS ABOUT IT

If you know your anger is affecting your life, it’s time to tell the people you’re close to about your anxiety.

Don’t try to justify your actions.

Instead, try to describe what goes on in your head.

Explain your triggers to them.

Tell them that when you spit vicious words at them that it’s most likely because you are feeling completely out of control. 

Tell them about the things that help calm you so they can better help you in the future.

Go into as much detail about your experiences as you feel capable. 

It’s best to have these conversations when you’re both in a more level state.

5. OWN UP TO IT

Even though our brains like to hold us hostage at times, we must remember that we are not the only ones affected by our anxiety.

We are not perfect, and I know for damn sure that I mess up.

I hate that my anger overtakes me before I can even grasp what is going on.

It’s embarrassing and makes me feel like shit for days. 

But I try every day to make life a little easier for those around me.

Communicate Your Anxiety and Frustrations

I do this by asking others questions about how my anxiety makes them feel.

I try to validate their experiences as much as I can without invalidating what I go through

Remember, they are also going through something that you can never fully understand.

Above everything, I think the best way to help cope with anger caused by anxiety is to communicate openly.

THE ANTI-ANXIETY CHECKLIST
Featured Image

Anxiety and Anger Issues

Anxiety can manifest in several ways.

Anger is a big one.

Do you deal with anger caused by your anxiety? How do you cope?


More Recommendations:

Social Anxiety to Social Success is a fantastic eBook, if you’re ready to gain control over your social anxiety.

I love that it’s super easy to follow along to, and there’s even a workbook so you can track your progress!

BUY SOCIAL ANXIETY EBOOK

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Living with Anxiety and Anger Issues

7 thoughts on “5 Ways to Cope with Anger Caused by Your Anxiety

  1. I hear you! I’m finding lately that I am irritable a lot, but I’m not sure if it is related to anxiety or something else. I think keeping it bottled up inside definitely makes it worse, and sharing how you are feeling with others can help.

  2. carolina popow

    I always sufered from anxiety,my Mother did too,and my nieces do .I only felt that anger when I was a child and recently.As I am 65 ,I understood it was related(I am not an anger person)Reading this made me realise I was right in identify it with my anxiety problem and that there are ways of fighting it.Thank you,I will follow

    • Thank you for reading. I’m glad I can help in some way.

  3. Maggie M

    Thank you for this post! Irritability is one of the main side effects of my anxiety but I’m definitely trying to be more open about it as you suggested.

    • Thank you for reading! I hope it helps you!

  4. I love this post! I’ve seen a lot of posts about how to deal with anxiety but I rarely see anyone even mention anger caused by anxiety. This isn’t something that happens to me very often but once in a while my anxiety comes out in the form of anger and for the longest time I didn’t even know it was possible or why it happened. So thank you for this! 🙂

    • Thank you! I’ve struggled with anxiety induced anger for years, and I had no idea what was going on until I started to dissect my anxiety recently. I’m glad I could help! 🙂

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