Why Do Bipolar People Get So Angry?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by dramatic mood swings. People with this condition can alternate between depressive lows and manic highs, or have episodes with mixed features. Without treatment, bipolar disorder will get worse, causing more rapid cycling between moods and disrupting your energy levels, sleep quality and decision-making skills.

Irritability is a typical calling card of bipolar disorder, which can lead to angry outbursts or cause people to become unreasonably upset over minor incidents. While everyone gets upset occasionally, frequent bouts of aggression and rage can adversely affect your life.  

Is Your Anger out of Control?   

Anger can be a healthy response to something that provokes you. However, uncontrollable fury may strain your relationships with friends, family members and colleagues. Some questions to ask yourself include:

• Do people tiptoe around you for fear of becoming a target of your anger?
• Are others quick to back down from disagreements because they don’t want to provoke you any further?
• Do you have a history of being verbally or physically abusive?
• In the heat of the moment, have you said or done things you later regretted?
• Have you ever lost your temper in a professional setting?

Healthy Anger Management Strategies

If you answered yes to any of those questions, learning to manage your strong emotions can help improve your relationships with others and your overall quality of life. Long-term, unresolved anger can lead to health issues like cardiac disease, a weakened immune system and a higher risk of developing a co-occurring disorder like anxiety or addiction.

Try these tactics to rein in your temper and reduce the number of angry outbursts you subject other people to.

1. Identify Your Triggers

Some people or situations may aggravate you before you even realize it. If you don’t know what sets you off, try writing a journal entry after each incident. Reviewing your detailed descriptions might help you spot patterns you can use to prevent future outbursts.

2. Work With a Therapist

A therapist who specializes in treating bipolar disorder can provide you with valuable advice and guidance on how to improve your mental well-being. Working with an experienced counselor will also give you a neutral third party to talk to when you need to express yourself and process challenging emotions.

3. Exercise

Exercise brings a wealth of physical and mental health benefits. If you’re feeling upset or frustrated, channel that energy into an equally intense workout like running, Tabata, HIIT or kickboxing.

4. Ask for Support

When you’re having a hard time managing your anger issues and other effects of your bipolar disorder, you need someone you can reach out to. Explain what you are going through and ask your family and friends to help you stay accountable to your goals.

Recovering in Florida

If you have a dual diagnosis, simultaneously addressing both components can address the underlying causes of your illness and equip you with the tools you need to recover. At Beach House, our full continuum of care and industry-leading therapist-to-client ratio are among the factors that have made us one of the country’s leading treatment facilities.

To learn more about finding freedom from addiction and mental health disorders at Beach House, please reach out to our admissions counselors when you feel ready.