Although anxiety disorders are typically characterized by social withdrawal, inhibition and shyness, and discomfort in social expression, individuals with anxiety disorders often express intense and out of proportion anger and aggression [7; 8].
Excessive aggression and violence likely develop as a consequence of generally disturbed emotional regulation, such as abnormally high or low levels of anxiety. This suggests an overlap between brain circuitries and neurochemical systems regulating aggression and anxiety.
Anxiety disorder is more likely to result in anger than plain old anxiety because there's a build-up of stress over a prolonged period. For example, someone with Social Anxiety Disorder may become frustrated with someone if they steer the anxious individual toward an uncomfortable social environment.
It's common to feel irritable from time to time, but if you feel unusually irritable or irritable all the time or on edge, it is important that you talk to your doctor as it could be a symptom of a mental health condition, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, or a physical condition.
Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is an impulse-control disorder characterized by sudden episodes of unwarranted anger. The disorder is typified by hostility, impulsivity, and recurrent aggressive outbursts. People with IED essentially “explode” into a rage despite a lack of apparent provocation or reason.
Yelling Can Lead to Depression
Many studies show a strong connection between emotional abuse and depression or anxiety. These symptoms can worsen behavior and even cause self-destructive habits, like substance misuse or risk-taking behaviors.
It can lead to lashing out, making rash decisions, and engaging in risky behaviors. When individuals feel threatened, their fight or flight response kicks in, and individuals go into defense mode, which sometimes means fighting.
SSRIs that have been shown to help with anger include citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), among others. Sertraline seems to have the most supporting data. Other classes of antidepressants, like serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), aren't widely used for treating anger.
Anxiety disorders are a type of mental health condition. Anxiety makes it difficult to get through your day. Symptoms include feelings of nervousness, panic and fear as well as sweating and a rapid heartbeat. Treatments include medications and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Anxiety Makes You Say Mean Things Out of Fear and Frustration. Anxiety and depression can bring about strong feelings of fear, frustration and anguish and this can lead to misunderstandings.
If you're experiencing lots of anger and irritability "it probably means you're not doing enough [self-care]". Make sure you're eating healthy foods, getting some exercise, and getting enough sleep — "We feel all our emotions more intensely when we're tired or sick," explains Dr Renshall.
Anxiety can also affect your behaviour. You may withdraw from friends and family, feel unable to go to work, or avoid certain places. While avoiding situations can give you short-term relief, the anxiety often returns the next time you're in the situation.
But in some people anxiety can provoke an aggressive, violent response. Aggression and violence may not be "common" in those with anxiety, but they're very real and can be extremely problematic for those that suffer from them.
Types of Anti-anxiety Medications (Benzodiazepines)
Benzodiazepines most commonly used to treat anxiety disorders are clonazepam (Rivotril)*, alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Symptoms of severe vitamin B1 (thiamine) and B6 deficiencies may include irritability. However, this is more common in infants and severe B6 deficiency is uncommon in the United States adult population. Using the Everywell at-home B Vitamins Test can check your levels of 2 B vitamins-B6, B9, and B12.
Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is a mental health condition marked by frequent impulsive anger outbursts or aggression.
A little anxiety can encourage you to act, while intense or prolonged anxiety can cause you to shut down. A few signs you're experiencing an anxiety attack include: Increased heart rate. Shortness of breath.
But having an anxiety problem can actually increase the likelihood of angry outbursts. Both anger and anxiety involve some sort of emotional dysregulation and a perceived threat, according to psychiatrist Franklin Schneier, co-director of the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at New York State Psychiatric Institute.
1. “It's All In Your Head” So is everything. Reminding a person suffering from an anxiety attack that the anxious thoughts and threat they perceive isn't congruent with reality is just not going to help – they likely know this already.
Egger adds that the phrase “calm down” implies that your friend or loved one is choosing not to be calm or that they're choosing to feel anxious, when in reality their condition makes it extremely difficult for them to feel calm. As a result, this phrase can cause them to feel ashamed, powerless, and alone.