Coping with Bipolar Disorder and Anger

If you are living with bipolar disorder, you know how greatly the symptoms can affect your life. As a result of it, you must have experienced a dramatic change in your personal relationships or have even been unable to hold a job due to sudden and uncontrollable emotions.

Possibly the most damaging symptom of bipolar disorder is anger. It usually is the root cause for many of the negative changes that you have encountered since you’ve been diagnosed, or since you began to notice the signs that you may have the dreaded disorder.

A good majority of us experience anger in some form, in varying degrees, but those suffering from bipolar disorder tend to experience these episodes of anger in a more extreme fashion. There may be sudden anger outbursts, or an exaggerated reaction to something that is typically very small in the “grand scheme of things”. This is due to the fact that the disorder is believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance within the brain but nobody knows for sure. This claimed “imbalance” not only results in an inability to focus, drastic mood shifts, an overabundance of energy, diminished decision making capability, but also moderate to severe anger.

If you do have bipolar disorder, you will find that there is  a variety of triggers which can bring on these episodes of potentially violent anger. When you feel frustrated or are stressed about a particular aspect of your life, bipolar disorder will often cause you to lash out or become irritable instead of dealing with the situation in a logical and rational way. Also, feelings of disappointment or fear will bring about fits of anger, as well as recalling negative events from the past.

Rather than feeling mildly angry about things, one’ anger will be disproportionate to the situation, and can cause much social angst. Friends and family might begin to avoid you, and you may find it difficult to lead a fulfilling home life, which will only lead to further anger episodes as a result of your frustration or stress about the situation. Thus, a vicious cycle is created, with the cause of your anger pushing the ones you love away and ruining prospects of employment, which will ultimately result in more anger in response.

There are ways in which bipolar disorder can be managed, so there is hope. If you recognize any of the anger associated symptoms listed above, try taking a bipolar test online and seek help of a medical professional for further evaluation.

A physician will be able to prescribe you the appropriate medication or suggest the right mental health specialist for you.  Also, you may want to try a variety of relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises or meditation. Bipolar disorder and anger doesn’t have to rule your life. The key to overcoming it is facing the fact that you may have a problem and getting help.  Hopefully, before the condition has a chance to drastically alter your life.  Seeking help early is always the best option.

 

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