The vicious anger cycle

Has anyone ever felt so angry that their anger has made them even angrier? Because that's how I feel right now. It's a vicious cycle.

I guess I am angry over the fact my anger doesn't make sense in the first place. For example, I am so angry that I cannot concentrate on anything (including concentrating on distractions!) and that in turn makes me angrier, out of frustration.

Besides meds, what helps?

Good question.
For me, when this happens I need time alone to rage inside and pace etc---some 'odd' things help when available---like actually jumping into water (lake, ocean, pond) for a quick swim and longer float---sledding and sometimes music if I can happen on the right music... mostly, Time. It is very frustrating--- ...
showers used to help more than they do now...though a cold one can make a nice dent---basically, I guess the activity has to involve a change in environment and action that cannot be ignored----a bit more than a distraction.
If anyone else has some good strategies I'd love to hear them...(((hug))))

Anger can be so damaging! It hurts others, thus hurting relationships, sometimes takes away opportunities, and also hurts oneself, greatly. Despite knowing all of this, I still struggle with anger. I could go on and on about what mine has looked like, and more detail about the ramifications, but I'll concentrate on some tips I have, but I won't lie and say I've mastered anger reducing strategies. I haven't, by a long shot.

* Breathing techniques - When I was first introduced to them, I pretty much cursed the idea. I was severely manic, and its sometimes hard to get a manic person on board to do them. Only after I was more stable did I learn to appreciate them.

* Time Outs - Ditto as above. Effective for adults. Not just children. When I am with a person and angry, I try to explain or just ask if I can step away for a bit. I try to explain that in most cases, they are not responsible for my anger.My anger is often MY ISSUE. You included the word "frustration". I have uttered that word probably thousands of times over the years.

* Game Plan for Unexpected Anger Triggers - I find that if I plan ahead for common triggers, I do better. Example: If someone is tailgating me, instead of acting aggressively in return, I tell myself to pull to the side with either my turn signal or emergency lights. Or just move to the slow lane for them to pass, if applicable. Game plans help with all kinds of things.

* Agreements With Others In Advance - I have an idea of what triggers my hypomania/mania. I either avoid it, or if it can't be avoided, I try to make the experience as easy as possible. I told my husband that we will ever fly in/out of London Heathrow Airport ever again. If we're on touring somewhere, my husband knows that I may need to go to the car. Or we may need to take a taxi home a bit sooner, if needed.

* Peaceful or Mind Redirect Places/Activities - As winter4me mentioned above.

* Be Kind To Oneself[ (and ultimately others) - When I know the anger is becoming painful, out of control, and/or destructive, I try to remind myself that's it is yielding no good. I will beseech myself to "be nice". I don't really want to feel those feelings. My true nature is not anger, it is caring and loving and pleasant. I know what it does to my teeth, my mental wellness, my other body parts, etc. Deliberate self talk on this topic is helpful. Some DBT skills are helpful for anger management (from mindfulness, to using 5 senses in positive ways, turning of the mind, etc)

* Talk To Someone About Your Anger To Help Release It - This is best done with someone you're not angry at. I suggest an approach specifically for reducing the anger, not escalating it by complaining about the source. If you see your therapist, this topic should be addressed. Is it a momentary issue or an ongoing issue?

* Medication Adjustment - Is some of the anger related to a mood episode? If so, maybe it's time for a medication adjustment or a PRN.

When I become legit angry, it can spiral out of control. So, I must work very hard not to ever get there. When I did the other day, and sent off a rage-o-gram to a very prominent attorney who was a **** to me long ago, I remembered all over again why that is so crucial for me.

In my book about the hospital, I describe a scene where my next door neighbor became so angry I literally could not believe it. I had never seen anyone so fully consumed by rage. I watched as he got worse and worse and more violent. When they took him away and sedated him, I just sat there. What I had just seen was not even a human being. He was pure rage.

I try to temper my comments and notes with wisdom, to the best of my ability. It does not always work for me.

The greatest remedy for anger is time--Thomas Paine.

Outstanding stuff, BD.

As for flying to Europe, I have always found Lufthansa through Frankfurt to be a much more relaxing, efficient, and less chaotic experience than anything close to Heathrow. Far more pleasant. Schiphol is also easy, though not as nice, in my view. Plenty of Prague flights out of FRA. Just a thought...

I know that if I become angry, even as bpcyclist for a legitimate reason, I am likely going to spin out of control...
At work, I was often called on to handle difficult situations between people...when I am calm and thinking nothing can rattle me and I am good at crisis intervention
Then again, if I don't leave in time when i am triggered, I could become the one needing management.

I also need help with this. I also try to temper my comments with wisdom but maybe it doesn't work sometimes. When my anxiety is particularly bad (which is often) so is my anger sometimes. Time outs can help. (I wasn't taught any of these skills as a cub, I was just taught that I was a ''bad cub'')

(((((( Fuzzybear, My Precious Friend ))))))

Thank you for this!

Thank you, too, for all you contribute here!
You share a lot of knowledge, insight, wisdom and time.
PC would not be the same without you!
You have my Love and My Gratitude ~

I used to have these angry/irritable episodes that were so uncharacteristic of me . They went away when I became stabilized on Lamictal.
I am so relieved. I was suffering badly when that was going on.