The 12 Types of Anger Issues

Anger is a normal emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. There are some situations in which it is a natural response. Approximately 10% of people under twenty-five reported having explosive anger episodes at least three times in their lifetime, according to a Harvard study. Different types of anger issues are common among American people. Despite this, about seventy-five percent of those affected improved as a result of appropriate intervention.

There’s a common misconception that all types of anger manifest as loud and violent behavior. In reality, anger is a lot more complex and nuanced than a stereotypical blow-up. There are many types of anger issues that can be addressed.

Psychologist Ephrem Fernandez classified anger into six dimensions, or spectrums, based on his psychological research. These include:

• The direction of anger (internal vs external)
• The anger reaction (retaliatory vs resistant)
• The mode of anger (physical vs verbal)
• Anger impulsivity (controlled vs uncontrolled)
• The objective of anger (restorative vs punitive)

It’s not the angry feelings we experience in our daily lives that matter, but the way we manage them. In some cases, anger issues can be caused by feelings of extreme or uncontrollable anger, or by the inability to pinpoint the source of your anger.

12 Types of Anger

There are different types of anger issues. You can improve your physical and mental health by identifying the type of anger you are experiencing and finding ways to handle it. The types of anger disorders discussed below are the most common.

Here are twelve types of anger issues:

1. Assertive Anger

In terms of anger expression, assertive anger is considered a constructive method. Instead of avoiding conversations or yelling, assertive anger influences positive change through a healthy and productive expression of frustration.

Having assertive anger is about expressing your feelings safely and in a healthy manner. For example, you might start a statement with, “I feel angry when…” or, “I think…” In an assertive anger situation, appropriate body language is coupled with pre-set expectations about how the situation will be resolved or handled. Using this method, you can positively communicate your anger.

2. Behavioral Anger

Behavioral anger is a physical reaction, commonly experienced by men who have anger problems. The expression of this can be dangerous as it may lead to violence, potentially resulting in destructive or displaced anger. Behavioral anger is impulsive and unpredictable, and it can sometimes result in unhealthy legal or social consequences.

3. Chronic Anger

People with chronic anger are typically angry with other people, situations, as well as themselves. Anger can negatively impact one’s self-esteem. Often, it flies under the radar while causing significant damage at the same time.

Chronic anger is characterized by feelings of anger, resentment, irritability, and frustration that persist for a long period. It can apply to others, specific situations, or even to yourself. If you experience anger in a certain way, you may find it difficult to express and process your needs, which can affect your health, stress levels, and relationships.

4. Destructive Anger

Experiencing destructive anger is a highly unhealthy experience that can wreak havoc on a variety of aspects of your life. A limited amount of research has been conducted on this type of anger, but it is often seen as part of the end of behavioral anger. An example of this would be extreme irritability or even hatred for others, even if it isn’t warranted.

Destructive anger can look like verbal or physical actions used to hurt others (e.g., like throwing and breaking something important to the person you’re angry with). It can sometimes manifest as stonewalling in relationships. That is, shutting out your significant other emotionally). In addition to destroying important social connections, destructive anger can affect many aspects of your life in extremely negative ways.

5. Judgmental Anger

You may respond with judgmental anger if you feel you have been wronged, if you feel someone else has flaws (if you feel they impact you), or if you perceive another has been wronged. People with judgmental anger tend to have core beliefs (basic perspectives or understandings of the world) that make them feel better or worse than others, so they judge them and become angry about their actions or expressions.

The most common form of judgmental anger is what people refer to as “justified fury,” in which you or someone else is angry in response to a perceived injustice or slight

6. Overwhelmed Anger

In the long run, overwhelming anger can harm your mental health. Having trouble expressing or communicating your feelings can lead to this type of anger building up. You may experience it when certain situations, feelings, or interactions overwhelm your ability to deal with anger and stress.

7. Passive-Aggressive Anger

Passive-aggressive anger is an avoidant form of expression. Anger such as this occurs when you suppress your feelings and try to avoid conflicts. You may have a hard time maintaining healthy self-esteem if you are angry, as anger can negatively impact it. As such, passive-aggressive anger can have a negative influence on your relationships.

There is emotional repression as well as avoidance of conflict associated with passive-aggressive anger, which can be verbal or physical. This may present as passive-aggressive comments (e.g., “I like your outfit, even though it doesn’t fit you”), sarcasm, or an intentional lack of response. The most common form of passive aggression is verbal, but it can also appear as closed-off body language or continuous procrastination.

8. Retaliatory Anger

An instinctual reaction to an attack is retaliatory anger. It can be influenced by a need for revenge after experiencing a perceived hurt. Usually, this kind of anger is directed at someone who has hurt you. It can be influenced by a need to gain control over an event. Having been verbally or physically attacked, you may be inclined to direct your anger at a specific person. Having retaliatory anger in a relationship can potentially lead to an increase in discomfort and anger.

9. Self-Abusive Anger

Self-abusive anger tends to be connected with shame. A person who has low self-esteem or a sense of worthlessness and hopelessness will experience this type of anger. To cope with these feelings, many people self-abuse anger, even though it only pushes them further away.

10. Silent Anger

Silent anger is a non-verbal, internal way of experiencing anger. Despite not verbally expressing your anger, others can read it in your actions. Silent anger is often experienced by people who isolate themselves from the feelings they are experiencing, allowing them to build up and lead to stress, tension, and anger-related behavior.

11. Verbal Anger 

Verbal anger is an aggressive type of anger that can become abusive. When experiencing this type of anger, people generally feel remorseful after lashing out at the target of their anger and may even apologize afterward.

Lashing out or “going off” on someone verbally can be signs of verbal anger. Loud shouting, threatening behavior, sarcastic remarks, continuous criticism, and ridiculing are some of the specific behaviors that can manifest.

12. Volatile Anger

Volatile anger is an explosive type of anger that is sometimes called “sudden anger.” Someone who experiences a minor annoyance becomes agitated, explodes verbally or physically, and becomes destructive. Individuals with this type of anger have difficulty expressing themselves, processing their feelings, and communicating with others.

Ways to Reduce and Manage Types of Anger Issues

Processing what is fueling or influencing your anger can help to engage with a therapist. You can learn ways to cope, communicate, and process your feelings by seeing a therapist or attending counseling. Managing anger can also be accomplished through self-help techniques and coping mechanisms. Combining self-help techniques with therapy can help you manage your anger and express it constructively.

Final Thoughts

If you are struggling with your anger, you’re not alone. A person who has been through abuse or trauma finds it challenging to explore their emotions and express them. Help does exist though. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a therapist. Consider starting your search for the right person by contacting us today.