How to Recognize When You Have Unresolved Anger

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Signs that your wrath is more than just a reaction to something.

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We're just three weeks into 2022, yet there's already cause for concern. Indeed, this has been the case for a long time, particularly over the last two years of living through a worldwide epidemic.

And, while it's easy to get into a condition of perma-rage—being angry about nothing and everything at the same time—at some point, you might pause and consider what precisely is making you angry all the time. Is it all coincidental, or is there something deeper and more complex going on? Here are several indicators that you may be coping with suppressed rage.

What exactly is suppressed anger?

Everyone becomes upset, but not everyone expresses their anger in the same manner. Some people act on their anger and are prone to outbursts, while others do not. People who repress their emotions, for example, make a conscious effort to avoid unpleasant sentiments.

But, as Nicole Arzt, a certified marital and family therapist, argues in an essay for Choosing Therapy, concealing rage is unintended and done subconsciously—often out of fear or shame.

What are the symptoms of Repressed Anger?

Repressed rage, according to Artz, can manifest in a variety of ways, many of which are subtle alterations in how a person feels, thinks, and/or behaves. It's often not evident until their anger reaches dangerously high levels and they act on it.

Instead of getting to that point, keep an eye out for the following indicators of suppressed rage, as identified by Artz and clinical psychologist Terri Cole:

Defensiveness

Do you become defensive when someone points out that you're angry? People with suppressed anger, according to Artz, refuse to confess when they are furious or dissatisfied, even though it is clear to everyone else. "This defensiveness makes it more difficult for individuals to accept and understand their anger, increasing the likelihood that they will diminish, dismiss, or deny it," she says.

Sarcasm

Could you possibly be more sarcastic? In a blog post, Cole says, "When you think about sarcasm, it's essentially a passive-aggressive method of expressing displeasure, disappointment, or irritation." "If you frequently find yourself speaking the opposite of what you think and feel with a snarky tone and sometimes even an eye roll, begin to investigate why it may seem safer than being direct."

Passive aggressiveness

Do you tend to be passive aggressive when engaging with others when you can't entirely avoid conflict? Cole defines passive aggressiveness as "the indirect display of rage." "Effective communication is straightforward. Acting out your anger in a passive-aggressive manner may feel'safe' and acknowledge your sentiments, but it is unproductive."

These are only three of the numerous symptoms of suppressed rage. Additional instances and information can be found in the papers cited by Artz and Cole.

What should you do if you have repressed anger?

If you realize you've been repressing your anger, you'll probably want to start dealing with it—or at least starting to process it. This is a topic that we've covered extensively on Lifehacker, so you can always begin there (well, here). If therapy is a possibility for you and what you now perceive as suppressed rage is having a substantial influence on your life, you should think about it.

#MentalHealth #RepressedAnger 
#SarcasticGamer #SarcasticReview

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SOURCE: lifehacker

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