Constant Anger

[zeropoint]

Since my PTSD symptoms kicked in really hard a few months ago, I feel angry all the time. Sometimes there can be a trigger, but even if there is one, it's usually something I'm blowing way out of proportion. Other times, I'm just angry and couldn't tell you why. I've tried a handful of different things, but I haven't met with my psychiatrist since the anger started (it takes a long time to get an appt. with her) to see if she thinks there is a physiological link or fix. Occasionally something will come along that makes me feel less angry, but that's rare.

I don't like going through life like this. It's not fair to me or to the people I interact with, even if they know why I am angry.

Has anyone found anything that helps diminish the anger? Thank you.

 

[Sandstone]

I've little useful to offer,except to ask if you're on any meds? Some anti-depressants can have rage as a side effect.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I agree, are you on meds? Anything that messed with my serotonin sent me into rage. (I don't believe my depression issues are related to serotonin levels, although that doesn't stop the docs from pushing them!)

 

[anthony]

There is no quick fix to diminish the anger, but instead you have to understand why you're angry, learn to isolate the underlying emotions that are making you angry, then you target those. Trying to target anger is useless... all you do is take some cocktail of medication or self-medication to try and numb the anger, but the underlying emotions are still there.

I had huge anger issues initially also, being a combat veteran... and there are a couple of reasons for mine, being PTSD + combat training. Are you a combat veteran? If so, that adds a layer, if not, then you're dealing with one less thing.

You need to understand in order to change your response:

1. https://www.myptsd.com/threads/the-iceberg-of-emotions.13731/
   
2. https://www.myptsd.com/threads/the-ptsd-cup-explanation.13737/
   
3. https://www.myptsd.com/threads/understanding-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd.86476/ (download and read PDF)

 

[Justmehere]

Anger can be the "fight" side to fight or flight. It can be a sign of high sympathetic nervous system activation. For me, a lot of things that help fear and anxiety help my anger too - basically anything that calms down my nervous system in healthy ways.

 

[zeropoint]

Thank you all.

And to answer questions, I am not a combat veteran.
Med-wise, I take 1500 mg Lithium/day and 100 mg Zoloft/day.
(And also trazodone for sleep, and some clonazepam I can take PRN, but am prescribed much less than I'd like.)

I will mention that I started the Zoloft in February, and the rage issues started in July.

Because my healthcare is state assistance, my psychiatry options are very limited. Only 2 psychiatrists in my city accept medical assistance, and they are both really, really bad. So I go to the mental health center, which has some good doctors, including my own, but it's next to impossible to get in to see them in any timely fashion, and even having a message relayed to her is tricky and unlikely to get a response. I am seeing my psychiatrist this month, though, and am planning a very thorough conversation.