A Question About Anger And Anxiety

[Nicolette]

I was speaking to someone who has PTSD and they said that sometimes they would prefer to 'sit with' being angry rather than anxiety when unwell. They said it was easier to channel and process anger versus being 'afraid'.

Thoughts?

 

[nursenurse]

Good question.

To me, anger feels more "concrete" as an emotion (especially when the glass hits the wall). Anxiety is just so diffuse, and fear is so crippling, even to us non PTSD folks. Anger can inspire change for the better. Anxiety just seems to breed more anxiety.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

When I feel angry I feel strong. When I feel anxious I feel helpless and powerless and almost terrified if it's bad enough. Sometimes I'd rather be angry than anxious. But for me the problem with being angry is I tend to start snapping at everyone. And I might have PTSD but I'm still responsible for my behavior. Although sometimes it can be hard to keep my composure.

But sometimes anger gets the best of me and I end up having apologies to make later. My anger has been suppressed so much and for so long it doesn't take much to make me mad. But I have anxiety disorder and depression too. So it doesn't take much to make me anxious either.

 

[Nicolette]

And I might have PTSD but I'm still responsible for my behavior.

Impressive - good for you taking ownership for your behaviour :tup:

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

Thank you. It's very hard. But I have to try. It drives me nuts when people do things and then use their issues as justification for their actions.

 

[Loveneverfails]

Anger seems to be easier to process for me as well. Usually because I can pinpoint what caused it and there's usually also something that can be done about it. When it comes to anxiety and fear, I never seem to be able to tell if there's a legitimate reason or if it's just the disorder. That makes the anxiety worse of course. That feeling of impending doom overwhelms so easily.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

When it comes to anxiety and fear, I never seem to be able to tell if there's a legitimate reason or if it's just the disorder. That makes the anxiety worse of course. That feeling of impending doom overwhelms so easily.

That's been me off and on for the past week. I'm so emotionally exhausted from the anxiety and from trying to decipher if it's symptoms or intuition. I'm sorry you experience that and at the same time it's so validating to know I'm not the only one. Which of course I can't be. But it's still validating to read. I don't know about you but it makes me feel like I'm literally going insane when it happens.

 

[Loveneverfails]

it makes me feel like I'm literally going insane when it happens.

That's a good way to describe it. I told my T when that happens it feels like someone has pulled me so taught that any second I'm going to snap from the pressure.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

any second I'm going to snap from the pressure.

Yes! The urgency from it is intense. It's so hard to come down from. And for me it takes forever.

 

[Loveneverfails]

so hard to come down from

I completely understand. I do a lot of deep 'belly breathing' and positive thoughts but I also lately have discovered exercise breaks it pretty well. Helps me sleep better on anxiety nights too.

 

[Pencil]

Anger is clear and outward directed. Anxiety is dreadful - it is inwards directed and can't be channeled. I think many people with PTSD (and others perhaps) translate a lot of emotion into anger, anger at least creates the illusion of power, whereas anxiety makes one feel helpless and pathetic.

 

[JustBe]

Anxiety hurts. It is physically painful. Anger is powerful and challenging but not scary or painful to me.