I’m sure they’re connected. There’s no way they’re not. I’ve spent much of my life battling depression and anxiety, and rightfully so as I’ve undergone multiple traumatic events as well as have a genetic predisposition to mental illness. While I felt for a while that I had some control over my depression and anxiety, over the past few years I’ve found myself growing more and more angry. At past events, at benign situations, at friends, at work. I can feel it happening, but I can’t seem to stop it. Sometimes it feels completely justified while others are completely unintentional. I just catch my tone of voice or words after they come out, or worse, determine I was harsh by the reactions I evoke. I’m not trying to be a cruel heartless bitch, but I am certainly alienating people as though I am. I am almost certain this is what my mental illness has become, I fought it by becoming cold and closed off, and now I still can’t control it. That said, does anyone have advice on staying calm or controlling irritability? Or better yet, properly reading social situations?
It’s likely these things are linked. However, if you are on any regular medication especially anti depressants I strongly suggest mentioning this to your GP as it could be caused by that. The best thing would be to practise some breathing techniques and when you feel the anger building take yourself out of the situation to do them… maybe keep some type stress reliever around too. My manager got me a stress ball to use at work when I was struggling with my irritability and it helped.
Hold fast
Kayla
I think it is. I got depressed, and then angry at everything and everyone. Don’t let hate consume you.
Stay strong
Hey @BadWolf,
Yes, depression and anger are definitely connected. Anger usually resides on top of depression. For example, picture an onion - depression is the inner layer and anger is the outer layer. When you’re angry, there is always sadness underneath. This is usually why you’ll see someone break down and cry after an intense episode of anger. You can try to calm your anger, but depression will still hang around. My recommendation is to try to nip-it-in-the-bud by working on your depression, and your angry will naturally subside with it. In the meantime, exercise almost always helps me feel better, so I’d recommend that too. I hope some of this helps!
-Eric
@BadWolf have you ever tried meditation? I started doing it a couple months ago with my friend Alex from Our Last Night. He has taught me so much already but i’m still learning more and more each day. Breathing techniques are a great thing to have in your bag of tricks just in case something comes up and you get stressed out about something. If you ever just want someone to talk to just shoot me a message. Keep your head up! I promise you even though things look kinda shitty right now they WILL get better with time. Taking the negative things out of your life helps to. Some people in your circle could be toxic. I myself have been battling with Anxiety and Depression for almost 10 years now. About your anger thing I tend to lash out at people sometimes as well when I don’t mean to and I also don’t want to make anyone think i’m a bitch because i’m one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet unless you cross me in a bad way. I hope you’re feeling better and like I said above if you ever want someone to talk to i’ll e here for you and so will everyone else!
Hold Fast. We Believe In You.
*Stay Strong*