Everyone gets annoyed at times, but when your irritation is basically a constant state, you might start to wonder if it’s more than just frustration.
Are you truly dealing with anger issues, or is the world just being extra irritating lately? After all, people are ruder, more careless, and more inconsiderate than ever before (or at least it feels that way), so who wouldn’t get fed up? Here are a few signs that the issue might not be entirely external, however. Here are a few signs that could shed some light on what’s really going on.
1. You get angry over small things consistently.
Finding yourself snapping over someone chewing loudly or a colleague asking a basic question? If it happens a lot, it could be a sign of underlying anger issues. If it’s just the occasional bad day, you might just be fed up. Try noting how often it happens and see if there’s a pattern.
2. You feel tense all the time.
Anger issues often come with a constant feeling of tightness in your shoulders, jaw, or even your stomach. If you feel like you’re always physically on edge, it might be more than frustration. If it’s just during particularly annoying interactions, you’re probably just fed up.
3. You can’t let things go.
Do minor annoyances linger in your mind long after they’ve happened? If a passing comment haunts you for hours or days, that could mean you have deeper anger issues. If you find that you’re only briefly irritated, you’re likely just fed up and need to vent a little.
4. You explode without warning.
Source: Unsplash If your reactions are wildly disproportionate and come out of nowhere, it might be time to look into managing your anger. But if you’re snapping because the same irritating thing keeps happening, you’re likely just fed up with people not respecting your boundaries.
5. You feel guilty after getting upset.
Feeling bad or ashamed after losing your temper can be a clue that you’re aware of your anger issues. If you only get upset when someone’s genuinely pushing your buttons, it might just be justified frustration. Pay attention to your guilt levels after an outburst.
6. Your irritation builds up throughout the day.
If you wake up feeling okay but get progressively more annoyed by each interaction, you might just be fed up with people’s nonsense. Anger issues tend to sit with you from the start, simmering in the background, no matter what happens.
7. You take things personally, even when they’re not directed at you.
Anger issues can make neutral comments feel like personal attacks. If you’re constantly feeling targeted or criticised, that might be a deeper problem. If you’re only irked when people are genuinely rude or thoughtless, you’re probably justifiably fed up.
8. You feel drained after getting angry.
Blowing up regularly can leave you feeling exhausted and down, and such a strong cycle of anger and fatigue can point to deeper issues. But if you only feel this way after particularly frustrating interactions, it’s likely just a normal reaction to dealing with annoying behaviour.
9. You replay arguments in your head.
If you constantly rehearse comebacks or relive past conflicts, that can be a sign of unresolved anger. But if it only happens when someone’s been especially obnoxious, you’re likely just processing the annoyance like anyone would.
10. You lash out at the wrong people.
If you find yourself snapping at friends or family for no reason, your anger might be looking for an outlet. If you’re only short-tempered with the people who are actually causing the frustration, you might just be fed up and in need of some boundaries.
11. You frequently think, “Why can’t people just…?”
If you’re often exasperated by how people behave — cutting in queues, ignoring basic manners, or being inconsiderate — you’re likely just fed up. Anger issues tend to go deeper, making you feel frustrated even when no one’s done anything wrong.
12. You bottle things up until you explode.
Holding in your feelings until you suddenly blow up can be a sign of anger issues. If you’re just letting off steam after a particularly irritating day, you might be fine — you just need better ways to vent sooner.
13. You struggle to calm down after getting annoyed.
If it takes hours or even days to return to a calm state, that might point to underlying anger issues. If you’re able to calm down once you’ve had a little space or a good rant, you’re probably just fed up and needed to get it out.
14. You’re self-aware about your frustration.
If you’re asking yourself whether you have anger issues, that’s a good sign of self-awareness. People with severe anger issues often don’t question their behaviour. If you’re recognising your frustration and trying to manage it, you’re probably just fed up and working through it in a healthy way.
