Dos And Don'ts For Dealing With Anger

Anger happens, it's just part of life. But if you have depression you can add anger to the list (along with sadness, fearfulness, trouble sleeping, and changes in appetite) of common depression symptoms.

"If you find you’re very short-tempered, irritable, grouchy, your fuse is short, it could be related to depression," says Carol A. Bernstein, MD, associate professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone School of Medicine in New York City.

Depression treatment may lessen anger. But there are things you can do to blunt the effects of this intense and sometimes dangerous feeling.

From our partners

• 400 Healthy Recipes (That Won't Break The Bank) - greatist.com
• 8 Great Running Apps To Help You Train For Your Next Race - Shape Magazine
• 6 Reasons To Sleep At Least 7 Hours - Everyday Health

Comments

[victorzeller]

11:57 PM on 04/07/2012

Don't tell me how to deal with my anger, you will just piss me off even more.

[n4tvq]

10:41 PM on 04/07/2012

I understand this very well. I used to have a very short fuse and I would get into arguements with everyone from people in line at the supermarket to cops on the street. I could count to a million and it wouldn't do any good. I was like the incredible hulk, I would fall to my knees and scream while ripping my shirt into pieces. I couldn't help myself and I begged for help from my family but they blew me off and I felt alone and helpless. I didn't know it but I suffered from very severe depression. After visiting a half dozen therapists, I was finally prescribed anti-depressants, I told the doctor how much I needed to control my rage..it was 200mg of Zoloft daily, enough to put a horse to sleep. Only after retiring on disability and leaving my mean and uncaring wife did I get better. Now I live alone and I am completely off all medication and I no longer go into blind rage and actually seldom get angry at all. I can see when someone isn't really angry but suffering with depression and I know how to talk to that person and help them. It breaks my heart to see someone who is suffering as I once was. Sometimes we just need someone to love us and care for us and not judge us because we can't help ourselve, and we are begging for help.

[kck9284]

05:58 PM on 04/07/2012

Do: Punch them in the face

Don't: Apologize

[BobLivingstone]

04:21 PM on 04/07/2012

Anger is not the first feeling that comes when rage is felt or expressed. What happens previous to anger is hurt and/or feeling disrespected or worries that you will be abandoned. We often think that expressing anger by yelling, physical violence or breaking things will make us feel better. We do feel better for a moment and then we have to deal with the consequences of our actions. The work here is to understand what triggers the anger and then deal with all the pain around that.
Bob Livingstone LCSW Author of Unchain the Pain: How to be Your Own Therapist
www.boblivingstone.com

[Wendyness]

02:22 PM on 04/07/2012

"Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one that gets burned." ~ buddha

[mcomparetto]

02:20 PM on 04/07/2012

It's ok to get angry, but not ok to act on it in an inappropriate way. People get angry when they're provoked. Learning how to deal with the anger, like punching a bag or ball, exercising or screaming when no one's around, makes the anger subside.

[Dee Amschler]

10:36 PM on 04/08/2012

Maybe. It depends on the cause of the anger. If there is valid anger, the cause will eventually have to be dealt with or the anger will either recur or eat away at you from the inside. Some - key word is SOME - depression is anger turned inwards out of an inability to deal with the anger. But your tips are great for dealing with inappropriate anger or an inappropriate level of valid anger.

[acroisier]

11:36 AM on 04/07/2012

I have learned that when people are angry, especially because of this bad economy and hardly any jobs out there, that is why they turn to vandalism, grafitti, violence, and theft. I would NEVER do any of those things. When I am ARGRY, I sometimes Raise My Voice. That is
FAR LESS WORSE than doing those other things. It is those Heartless Republicans that want to make Huge Cuts in Funding for the Needy that Make Me Angry and Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney who would put WOMAN's HEALTH at SERIOUS RISK. That is why I am Most DEFINITELY Determined that President Obama Get RE-ELECTED: for the SAKE of WOMEN's HEALTH. I fully realize that he Overspent Somewhat. I was Wonderful that President Obama made Large Increases in Funding for the NEEDY. However, perhaps, he spent money on some things we did not need to. I know that we need to Reduce Federal Govt. Spending. However, those Heartless Republicans want to make HUGE Cuts to the Needy and tax breaks for Really Rich People and put WOMEN's HEALTH at SERIOUS RISK. That is Why I am DETERMINED that President OBAMA Gets RE-ELECTED. Thank You Very Much, Anne C. Croisier, Ph.D., MBA