Anger isn’t a disorder in itself, but it can be associated with many different disorders. In addition, anger issues aren’t always obvious as there are different types of anger.
We all know that someone who tends to yell and attack others is likely to have an anger problem, but other forms of anger, such as passive-aggressiveness or inward-directed anger, aren’t always getting the due attention.
Harming yourself, giving others backhanded compliments, or denying yourself basic necessities may also be signs of anger issues. The test below cannot diagnose you with anything. It is more of a checklist that can help evaluate your behavior or, in some cases, identify your blind spots. If you have any concerns, please talk to a mental health professional regardless of the results of this test.
I feel irritable most of the time.
I am easily agitated.
My reaction is often disproportionate.
I say and do things I regret later.
My work, studies, or relationships were negatively affected by my anger.
I have difficulty expressing my other emotions, only anger.
I am prone to road rage episodes.
I get verbally abusive quite often
I might attack someone physically when angry.
I throw and break things.
I slam doors.
I raise my voice very often.
My anger problem is spinning out of control.
I harm myself.
I am so overwhelmed by all the things I can’t control, and it makes me so angry!
I punish myself by isolating myself or denying things to myself, such as food or new clothes.
I tend to blame others all the time.
I am often sarcastic.
I give others backhanded compliments.
In my mind, I constantly put myself down.
I give people the silent treatment to punish them.
If you have any concerns, please discuss your doubts with a trained mental health professional. Whether you get angry only occasionally or habitually, here are some anger management tools you could use to prevent anger from affecting your life:
1. Leave. As soon as you begin feeling angry, allow yourself to leave so that you can calm down.
2. If you need to express your displeasure, do so in a controlled manner without insulting or intimidating anyone. Express your concerns verbally, in a firm but polite way. Discussing issues that bother you is more likely to lead to a successful resolution.
3. Do not interrupt others. Learn to listen to others and address their objections calmly.
4. Draw the line. It is helpful to have personal boundaries that you do not violate. For example, you may decide that you will never raise your voice or throw and break things. It may sound simplistic, but once the decision is taken on a deeply personal level, abiding by the new rule becomes easy and natural. Once such a decision takes place, it stops being about others and what they do or don’t do. Instead, it becomes all about you.
5. Find someone ready to listen. Many a time, our anger is the result of not being heard. Working with a psychologist or counselor will allow you to express yourself in a safe environment.
6. Identify your triggers. MentalHelp.net suggests writing an anger journal to help identify thoughts, feelings, and situations that make you angry. Knowing your triggers will help you devise a better plan to control your temper and deal with frustration more effectively.
7. Keep in mind that taking high doses of Prednisone or other corticosteroids can make some people very irritable. Do not stop or reduce the dosage without your doctor’s guidance as it can be very dangerous, particularly if you have been taking it for a long time.