Anger as a disability?

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I think being angry or having anger problems should count as a disability. heck my anger problems are holding me back from doing the things i want too do.


do you agree with me or not that anger is a VERY powerful emotion that can disable you.

Get some anger management classes, maybe then you'd stop being a d**k to others.

I think you are letting your anger hold you back, Jamesy; anger can be disabling only if you let it.

It is possible to have legitimate anger problems, that aren't necessarily of your doing. I haven't looked much into that though because I tend to internalize things and rarely let anger take control but when it does happen I tend to hit walls or whatever's around but yeah its certainly possible.

Therapy for it could help or maybe just read up on some information about how to deal with anger in a more healthy way......not really sure.

I don't see where the OP implied they are regularly a d*ck to others, looks like they where asking for advice on anger problems.

In the USA, "anger" is often weighted in disability decisions.

Most of my focus has been on the Limbic System & Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, especially involving the amygdala.

Everything greatly overlaps, including the cause & effect of fear & rage incited by the environment or by micro-seizures in the amygdala. "Melt-downs" and/or Post-ictal bouts of rage/anger easily meet any definition of temporary disability, and with frequent occurrences, a total/lasting disability.

The notion of "will-power" always overpowering neurological impairments quickly becomes nonsensical:
Some ncbi abstracts, and a newer big book on anger "International Handbook of Anger: Constituent and Concomitant Biological ..." by Michael Potegal, part preview on the internet in the USA:

"Finding a face in the crowd: testing the anger superiority effect in Asperger Syndrome."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16455174

"A threat-detection advantage in those with autism spectrum disorders."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19036491

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15929917
http://www.jle.com/e-docs/00/04/0D/38/v ... ionPDF.pdf

post-ictal rage and aggression a video-eeg anger disability Potegal "Anger's expressive, energizing,"

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=c ... zing%2C%22
which also attempts to differentiate between "rage" and "anger" (page 42 TLF)

http://www.amazon.com/International-Han ... 0387896759

Tadzio

Anger may be a symptom of a disorder, which if properly diagnosed, can impair and affect your ability to work. Then perhaps you could claim disability. Yet the other posters are right; being angry does not give you an excuse to lash out at others. If anger management isn't something you're up for, try journaling your rage or going to group therapy. Exercise can also help release some frustrations.

I think anger can easily be disabling if it starts to impair your quality of life and functioning. My borderline/almost spergy brother has quite severe anger issues and is supposed to be taking classes at school if he agrees to it and is going to be included in the SEN register. He also gets picked on a lot at school and hits the bullies from what I've heard, he's also a bit of a dork and it's inevitable for him to be an easy target even if he wasn't angry.

It does get weird sometimes because during his rages he says he wants to die or kill the person who causes his anger (usually my completely NT yet still batshit insane sister.) And he's trashed his room countless times.

So yes: anger can be a disability.

Anger is a legitimate symptom of several disorders in the DSM. The quickest two that come to mind are BPD, and Intermittent Explosive Disorder.

Anger is a very common thing for anyone with a disorder to have to deal with, even if it's not part of the disorder they have.

I don't know that Anger, in and of itself should be qualified as a disorder, since I know of no human being that doesn't experience anger periodically. Anger is a normal part of being human, and it's often justified.

It's only when it goes beyond what's "normal" and causes beyond normal problems for a person that it really needs to be looked at. And the first thing they'll look at is what's causing the anger. Anger beyond what is normal can almost always be traced to either a physical or a mental condition that underlies the anger, and that is what would be focused on, along with the anger itself. Treating anger alone, without discovering and treating the cause, wouldn't work very well.

Anger is a symptom of either mental illness or a personality disorder, and not an actual disorder in itself.

Depression, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, and pretty much any mental illness can cause anger.

Anger is a natural emotion, but if the anger is transformed into abuse, then the anger itself is not a disorder, even though there may be an underlying mental illness.

Speak to a therapist if possible. Anger is not bad in itself and can actually be a powerfully beneficial force if it is used for good - it is only bad if it is unrecognized, undermined, or used as an excuse for bad behavior.

Might be nitpicking, 'cause I'm pretty sure this is what you meant anyway. I would replace "is" with "could be."

Sometimes anger is just anger, and may be justified. Often it isn't associated with any disorder, but is perfectly normal.

Yep, I meant "could be." I don't want to further the stereotype that mentally ill people are angry or dangerous or anything. A lot of mentally ill people are actually very passive and don't express their anger as much as they should.

I am having to deal with my anger at the minute - it's compounded by the menopause, which causes mood swings.

There is always a cause. The problem for me lies in recognising when my anger is proportionate to the cause: whether I am being just.

I have had severe anxiety attacks nearly all my life. Anxiety is a very familiar feeling, one I can identify, and which I can, to a certain extent, deal with. Maybe I need to see anger this way.

In panic attack, I used to flee without a thought: driven to run or hide or cry out for help (ie, when there is no danger whatsoever). But I have learned that I am not out of control. I can step back, feel the fear, recognise it, refuse to retreat.

Maybe I could practice recognising anger in myself, as I do anxiety. And noticing when I am having an "anger attack." And stepping back from the seemingly overwhelming emotion. Not suppressing it: acknowledging it, but also acknowledging that I am not out of control.

Just some thoughts. Very tough stuff this. Very tough indeed.

Anger can be very bad & hard to control but I think it can be a symptom of various things some of which could be considered disabilities. Some of the causes of anger can be treated by counseling or medication like blood-pressure meds if it's related to a low tolerance to stress & hypertension.

Unless it's a symptom of another disorder you have, then no. Anger on it's on is not a disability.

If the anger problems are holding you back, then you have a disability.
Using the old World Health Organisation terminology, 'disability' describes the daily activities you have trouble doing, for example, 'communicating effectively'. In this terminology, 'anger' and the structural/functional problems causing 'anger' is the underlying impairment. 'handicap' refers to the social roles that are affected, for example, being employed.
Different terminology is used now, with the words 'disability' and 'handicap' being phased out.

There are many different medical problems which can cause anger, for example, post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, substance abuse.. the list is lengthy. However if you do have anger, there may be a legitimate underlying cause.
I don't think you can get a diagnosis of 'anger', since it is usually the result of another diagnosis or a situation you can't control.