Intense Anger: Everything You Need to Know

Anger is a normal human emotion felt at various points throughout life. Intense anger happens when the level of emotion is closer to fury or rage than it is to mild irritation. Intense anger can result in aggression, often hostile behavior with an intent to harm.

Intense anger can become a problem when it leads to aggression toward others or is suppressed and has adverse physical and psychological effects.

Learn about intense anger, its possible causes and symptoms, what to do about it, and more.

Causes

Many situations, including everyday interactions, life events, or internal struggles, can elicit an anger response, and what triggers one person may not trigger another. Similarly, the level of emotion felt will vary from person to person, causing some to feel mildly angry and others to feel intense anger from the same or similar trigger.

Stress

Angry outbursts can be a symptom or warning sign of stress. Even if there is another underlying cause of anger, stress can make the anger more intense or frequent. Moreover, the connection between anger and stress goes both ways. Anger has been shown to increase stress levels, and stress levels can increase the risk of intense anger.

Depression

Like the relationship between stress and anger, depression and anger are connected. Excessive, uncontrolled anger can be a symptom of depression and can lead to or make depression worse. More specifically, holding anger in without expressing it can lead to self-directed anger, which may lead to depression.

It is important to seek help from a healthcare professional if depression is suspected or if there are frequent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest in daily activities, or thoughts of harm to self or others.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that involves repeated distressing thoughts and ritualistic compulsive behaviors. About 50% of people with OCD also experience anger attacks, and many act aggressively toward family members.

This can lead to physical harm, emotional harm, or both. Additionally, people who experience OCD and anger attacks are at an increased risk of depression and panic attacks.

Alcohol Abuse

Anger and aggression issues are more common among people with alcohol use disorder (AUD), a condition involving the overuse or misuse of alcohol. Drinking can trigger or intensify anger, while anger can lead people with AUD to drink more to cope with their feelings.

ADHD

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavior disorder that involves difficulty paying attention, planning, and organizing. Some people with ADHD tend to become frustrated more easily than others and are more prone to becoming angry.

Roughly 70% of adults with ADHD feel they face strong, quick changes in mood or have difficulty regulating their emotions.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a mood disorder that involves fluctuations between extremely high mood or energy and depression. Symptoms of this condition can include irritability and anger.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Intermittent explosive disorder is a mental health condition that involves difficulty controlling the urge to be aggressive. People with intermittent explosive disorder display these two types of aggression:

• Reactive or hostile aggression: Involves a reaction to anger or aggression
• Instrumental or premeditated aggression: Meant to agitate someone else

People with this condition become physically or verbally aggressive and may cause emotional or physical harm to other people or material items.

Grief

Anger is one of the five stages of grief. This means it is normal and expected for a loss, such as death or trauma, to elicit anger. If there is a loss of control, if anger interferes with work or daily life, or if it compels you to harm yourself or others, it is essential to seek support from a mental health provider.

Symptoms

When people become angry, the body releases chemicals, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. This leads to certain physical and mental symptoms, such as increased blood pressure, stress, or anxiety.

Physical

Physical signs of intense anger include:

• Yelling or shouting
• Becoming physically aggressive toward people, animals, or objects
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Outbursts that are disproportionately intense for the situation

Emotional

Emotional signs of intense anger include:

• Feeling out of control or frightened about behaviors when angry
• High levels of stress, agitation, or anxiety
• Thoughts of aggression, violence, or revenge
• Holding a grudge

Types of Anger Issues

Different types of anger issues can be short term—perhaps associated with a life transition or phase—or longer term. For example, intense anger from loss or trauma may go away as you heal from the experience. Alternatively, intense anger accompanying mental health conditions may last years or for life.

Types of anger issues that are symptoms of mental health conditions include:

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

Diagnosis

Intense anger alone is not a diagnosable condition. However, intense anger can be a symptom of a diagnosable health condition. A mental health provider, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, can diagnose these conditions.

Anger Management

Utilizing anger management strategies can help you when you feel intense anger arise.

Anger management techniques include:

• Avoiding anger triggers or moving away from the source of your anger
• Using breathing or visualization exercises for relaxation
• Practicing cognitive restructuring (noticing and changing negative and irrational thoughts)
• Communicating about your anger
• Using mantras or words linked to relaxation

When to See a Therapist

Anyone who feels overwhelmed, out of control, or like they may benefit from learning how to better manage their anger should seek help from a mental health provider. Seeking help early is key to preventing anger from escalating to aggression or causing physical or emotional harm to yourself or others.

Summary

Intense anger is a stronger, more extreme version of anger. While anger is a normal emotion to feel from time to time, intense anger can lead to aggressive behaviors and physical or emotional harm to yourself or others.

Possible causes of intense anger include life events, stress, depression, grief, or other mental health conditions. Symptoms include loss of control, yelling, and/or physical violence. It is possible to learn different techniques to manage your anger. Anyone who experiences frequent, strong or uncontrollable anger should reach out to a healthcare provider for support.