35 Times Men Were So Hilariously Out Of Touch, They Earned The Title Of “Male Karen”

Everyone knows how it feels to get angry. It could be caused by finding out that a loved one lied to you for years or realizing that your savings have been drained by a stranger who stole your identity. Anger is certainly justified in some situations, and it’s not inherently a bad thing, despite how terrible the emotion might make you feel.

Jade Wu, PhD, explains for Psychology Today that anger is an emotion, not a behavior. So there’s nothing wrong with feeling it. In fact, we literally cannot help it. Dr. Wu notes that it’s a valid and useful emotion, and suppressing it is never healthy. It might motivate you to do an even better job at work or force you to reflect and find out what’s truly bothering you. But just because you feel angry doesn’t mean you’re allowed to act in aggressive or violent ways.  

Like any other emotion, anger can manifest itself physically. Better Health explains that it can even cause health problems, such as headaches, digestive issues, insomnia, depression, high blood pressure, skin problems like eczema, heart attacks and even strokes.

But finding healthy ways to express your anger can be great for your physical and mental health, and may even improve your social life. Getting your anger out might allow you to rest easy and sleep peacefully at night. Plus, you’ll probably feel happier, and your loved ones will likely be more interested in spending time around you if you’re exuding positivity.  

However, it’s possible to let your anger run a little too wild. If you’re posting on Facebook that you’re furious about your friends not wishing you a happy birthday, you might have a problem. 

When it comes to the signs of anger issues, Priory Group notes on their site that red flags include hurting others verbally or physically, getting upset over small or petty things, getting mad about the same things regularly, breaking objects out of anger, getting mad after drinking and experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, heart palpitations, sweating and anxiety.   

As far as what causes anger issues, they might stem from being threatened or treated unfairly, being publicly humiliated, struggling with financial issues or stress at work, negative past experiences, trauma, bereavement and grief or other mental health conditions. But no matter where the frustration is coming from, it’s important to recognize when it starts spiraling out of control. 

Healthline notes that there are also a few different types of anger issues: outward, inward and passive. Outward is the most obvious kind, which usually manifests in shouting, cursing, throwing or breaking things, or being aggressive towards others. Inward, on the other hand, is when someone is extremely angry at themself. 

This might cause them to engage in negative self-talk, s*******m or deny themself things that bring them joy. And finally, passive anger issues are at play when someone expresses their anger in subtle or indirect ways. This might involve the silent treatment, sulking, being sarcastic or passive-aggressive and making snide comments.   

So what’s the best method for managing anger issues? Well, the American Psychological Association recommends relaxation techniques. Breathing exercises, yoga, and repeating calming phrases may help some individuals slow down and cool off. It’s also a good idea to practice cognitive restructuring. Essentially, this is working on changing the way you think to remind yourself that every minor frustration or setback is not the end of the work.