When Anxiety Looks Like Anger

While it may seem hard to believe at first glance, anxiety and anger can often be closely related. When anxiety comes out of a person as anger, it is usually caused by their body misreading symptoms of anxiety and turning it into anger or an outburst of emotions. Many people, especially children, cannot explain why they are feeling so angry.

Sometimes, well meaning loved ones may suggest the person needs anger management therapy. However, if the root cause of the “anger” is actually anxiety, it’s important that the anxiety itself is treated.

Physical Effects of Anxiety

Anxiety can trigger a number of physiological responses in us. Further, anxiety can cause an increased heart rate, therefore giving you an increase in blood pressure. This can often cause you to have tension in muscles all around your body. Another very common symptom of anxiety can be lack of sleep, which in turn can make a person more on edge leading anxiety to present itself as anger. Think of it as if our bodies are putting up their own defense mechanism, and they feel like they need to be in their fight-or-flight mode to attempt to ward off any anxiety in your mind. 

Managing Anxiety and Anger

In order to work on these symptoms, you will have to work on managing your anxiety and anger separately. Tips that can work for managing both are:

Exercise

Try to get an adequate amount of exercise every day. As little as 30 minutes every day is what is recommended now. That is as simple as a short walk around your neighborhood, following a beginner’s workout on YouTube, or even having your own dance party in the living room. (This one could boost your “feel-good” endorphins too!)

Mindfulness

You can also try and calm anxiety and anger is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness doesn’t have to be what you would typically think of such as meditation, although that can be very helpful. Start off your mindfulness journey by writing in a journal every day for 10 minutes or speak positive affirmations to yourself in the mirror. Another very common mindfulness practice is yoga, not to mention this could also count as your 30 minutes of exercise for the day.

Treat Yourself

If possible, go out and treat yourself! Book that massage you have always wanted. This can really help clear your mind and work on those tense muscles you're giving yourself with all of your built-up anger and anxiety. 

Meet with an Anxiety Therapist

It can never hurt to try out an evidence-based therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is known to be very effective for anxiety treatment. It has been around since the ’60s and shown great effects. CBT is a form of talk therapy where you will work with a trained therapist, but not necessarily focus on digging up your past. CBT will focus on keeping you in the present and teach you how to recognize the stressors in your life. Then, you’ll learn how you can change your responses in an effective way to decrease your stress.

Other Conditions Where Anger Can Be Present

Anger can also be a symptom of a number of other conditions which include but are not limited to OCD, depression, bipolar disorder, and grief. Anxiety also exists in many other conditions as well. In some situations where the anger doesn’t seem to be caused by any other underlying medical or mental health concern, counseling or therapy focused on anger management may be useful.

Reach Out to Start Anxiety Treatment in Columbia, MO

While these tips are a good place to start, you may still feel angry and anxious. If you are struggling with anxiety, therapy can be very helpful. Our therapists are here for you and would love to help you work through your anxiety. We offer in-person counseling in Columbia, Missouri, and online therapy throughout the state of Missouri if you do not live in the area. To get started with anxiety treatment in Columbia, contact us.

Other Therapy Services at Aspire

Our therapists have extensive training in not only anxiety treatment but many other therapies, too. We specialize in working with teens, college students, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Furthermore, we provide trauma therapy services for children and teens as well as survivors of sexual assault.