Do Depression And Anger Go Hand-In-Hand?

Depression impacts millions of people across the globe. While some signs and symptoms are more common than others, it can affect people in different ways. One topic that isn’t discussed enough when it comes to depression is how it may sometimes be connected to anger. 

Most people understand that irritability is a potential symptom of depression. After all, it’s easy to be easily irritated when you’re feeling hopeless and helpless. But, how do the two really connect? Is something deeper and more serious linking depression and anger? Most importantly, what can you do about it if you’re experiencing both issues? 

The Root of Depression

Some argue that anger is the root of depression. While that might be a stretch, it certainly has a lot to do with how you might feel on a long-term basis. To understand why anger is sometimes connected so deeply with this mental condition, it’s first important to understand where it stems from. 

Often, feelings of anger come from feelings of sadness or disappointment. The trigger could be something as simple as a coworker getting a promotion over you. Or, it could be something bigger, like your fiancé leaving you at the altar on your wedding day. While both of those situations will undoubtedly lead to feelings of sadness, the more time you have to think about them, the easier it is to get angry. 

Feelings like sadness, guilt, anxiety and fear have a lot of energy. When you aren’t able to work through those emotions and acknowledge them for what they are, it’s easy for them to turn into anger. But, those emotions are still lingering beneath the surface, not being approached the way they should. That’s what makes it so easy for depression to rear its ugly head. 

Episodes of Anger

As stated above, irritability is often listed as one of the common symptoms of anger. One study found that about one-third of people who experience depression also have bouts of anger. Unfortunately, it often shows up as snapping at other people over minor things – including people you care about. It can also show up as an inability to handle disappointment. 

If you’re already struggling with depression and something negative happens in your life, it can act like gasoline on a match. If you’re someone who is more prone to anger as a symptom of your depression, that kind of “trigger” can either cause you to lash out or make your symptoms worse. Some small disappointment can feel huge, like the weight of the world is suddenly on your shoulders. 

Unfortunately, that tends to contribute to a vicious cycle. The harder it is for you to cope with disappointment, the worse your depression can become. 

What Can You Do?

Again, everyone handles depression differently. You can’t pick and choose which symptoms to look at or work on when you’re struggling with your mental health. Rather, it’s important to get to the root of the problem. Determine what might be causing your depression, to begin with. 

Thankfully, you don’t have to do that alone. One of the best things you can do is to work with a mental health professional. A therapist can help you uncover the underlying cause of your depression. While it isn’t always easy, peeling back those layers is necessary to really figure out why you might be struggling. Along the way, you’ll learn coping techniques and skills necessary to manage your symptoms – including anger. There are things you can do every day to keep your depression at bay, and you’ll feel better the more you start to get a handle on it. 

If you’re struggling with anger and you’re worried it’s stemming from depression, please contact me. You don’t have to deal with these symptoms on your own, and depression doesn’t have to control your life any longer.