Aggression can be an intense feeling and a hard one to manage. It’s challenging for the person who’s aggressive and frightening for the individuals around them. A person who struggles with aggression may feel out of control. They may be worried they will lose their temper and get verbally aggressive or even physically violent. The reality is that aggression isn’t something that stands alone. People with aggressive behavior are suffering from a variety of different mental health issues. Here are some reasons a person may struggle with depression and what they can do to cope.
Trauma and aggression
When a person experiences trauma, they could feel out of control. You may have heard of the expression fight or flight. An individual who’s aggressive could manifest the “fight” aspect when they feel threatened or scared. Being aggressive doesn’t necessarily mean you’re angry. It could mean that you’re scared and trying to defend yourself against potential danger. Individuals who have experienced violent trauma or significant traumatic experiences may lash out in aggression to try to control certain situations or defend themselves.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder is a conduct disorder where children and adolescents display overtly irritable moods and act aggressively toward others. A person who has Oppositional Defiant Disorder may exhibit various types of aggression. It could be verbal abuse or physical violence. A person with ODD is aggressive because they are trying to have control over a situation. The person feels out of control, and one of the ways to deal with that feeling is to be actively aggressive. It’s crucial for a young person with ODD to get help in the form of therapy. With a therapist’s intervention, the child can deal with their anger issues and learn to express their feelings healthily.
Borderline personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a severe fear of abandonment, an unstable sense of self, volatile and inconsistent relationships, and aggressive and hostile behavior. Those who have BPD act hostile and aggressive because they don’t feel in control of their emotions, which is part of the condition. They may feel threatened that their loved ones are going to abandon them and lash out aggressively. Borderline personality disorder responds well to DBT (dialectical behavior therapy). This sort of therapeutic modality helps the person learn emotional regulation and support them in communicating healthily.
Bipolar disorder
Episodes of mania and depression characterize bipolar disorder. A person with bipolar disorder may struggle with irritability and aggressive behavior if left untreated. These individuals must seek treatment and find ways to manage their anger. According to research, the best method for treating bipolar disorder is a conjunction of medication and therapy.
Anger management problems
Some individuals struggle with anger issues. It could be because they are survivors of trauma. It might be that this is an issue that they have as part of their personality. No matter why they have anger problems, anger management is a great way to handle these issues. If left untreated, anger can result in dangerous problems such as domestic violence. If you struggle with anger issues, it can benefit you to see a therapist to work on emotional regulation and prevent yourself from hurting others.
Getting help for aggressive behavior
Aggressive behavior can be downright scary to yourself and others. But there is help out there. First, it starts with understanding what aggression means. A part of this is seeing a licensed therapist. Whether you work with somebody online or in your local area, you can get help for managing your aggression. Instead of letting aggressive behavior control you, you can figure out how to manage your anger issues with the help of mental health professionals. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
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