In my strictly personal herstory, there is a very solid connection between my anger and my anxiety. I am not all the way sure which is symptom and which is cause, but there is a very solid connection.

My senses suggest that sometimes my anxiety is repressed anger. In those cases, anger bursts are a channel for the anxiety. Some things in this world are worthy of anger. NFF! ! ! No Fucking Fair! ! ! I try to find better channels than the face of the innocent by-stander who happened to be in the right place at the wrong time. . . . Those pesky details. . .

Other times my anger is repressed anxiety and the anger will keep recurring until I resolve the anxiety. Resolving anxieties is even tougher than regaining my composure the day after a Presidential election. Somehow, I keep voting for the losers. . .

Hi Arfie,
I know I can't figure that out either. If it's the anxiety or the anger. The anger does make my anxiety worse. I agree about repressed anger. And that is so true that it does keep happening to me until I can fix the problem.
Yes I agree with you about the election. Hopefully things will be different this time around. Have a great day! Hope all is well with the kids. Thank you for your comment. Italianmomma

I theorate that both anxiety and anger come in more than one flavor. The analogy I like is that problems caused by hot peppers and sticky candy require different recipes.

I also theorate that the head honcho of whatever operation is nowhere near as powerful as our craving for a scapegoat suggests. Whatever the executive order, it be the minions who do the deeds. Without the millions of individuals willing to salute, Hitler would have been just another ranting nutcase. It be the millions who move the proverbial mountains.

Hi Arfie,
I like that theory. Anxiety and anger does come at me in different ways. And you know what there are different recipes on how to handle it. I'll have to remember what recipe goes with what. I can agree with you on Hitler he was a nutcase. Don't need anyone like that in my life. My life has enough nutcases in it. Thank you for your comment as always. Much appreciated. Italianmomma

Hi Arfie,
Sorry to bother you. But afterwards when you get angry do you get headaches or don't sleep well. That could be from anxiety too. Just curious. Thanks. Italianmomma

Nope. When headaches are involved, I generally get the headaches before I go ballistic. That supports the theory the anger can be a cathartic release for the anxiety.

For what it's worth
I believe physiology/personality types are active variables in the equation. I have a hyper-active metabolism. At nearly 66, I FINALLY have the energy level of a normal teenager. Pity I don't have the physical strength nor stamina to match. . . Proof unavailable, but there is room to believe I was one of those babies for whom anger was a base distress response. For sure, by the time I reached psychotherapy, anger was my primary coping mechanism.

Thank you for your comment. You know the more I think about it I do get headaches before and afterwards. I love your energy. You need to send me some of it. Lol That's great that you have a lot of energy at 66. You sound like your doing just fine the way you are. Love the way you word and describe your thoughts and feelings. Thanks again. And do enjoy your day. Italianmomma

I guess I could of added frustrated into my post too.
Italianmomma

someone once told me that anger is really fear...(not sure if I buy that in every instance) but anxiety is definitely fear.....so I guess they are related. For instance--I recently got very angry at a friend who had lied to me. I guess my fear would be that she lies a lot to me--and my anxiety voice is asking "is she really your friend at all..are any of your friends really your friends.?" and then I start to spiral..lol....I know when my anxiety gets high I get very cranky and irritable and get angry easily!

..apparently anger is also related to depression--I have been told that depression is anger turned inwards--so yes, I believe anger is related to both!!

Hi hypergal,
I don't really think anger is fear. But anxiety I do believe is fear. I'm with you on that. Sometimes friends can be unpredictable and you know what sometimes family can be too. I've had that happen to me before. Don't think that way about all your friends. Genuine friends will always be there for you and have your back. I to get very moody and cranky when I'm angry. I try to stay away from people. Because I don't want to step out of line with anyone. I'm not familiar with depression I just have anxiety and I know it effects me when I'm upset or angry or frustrated. Thank you for your comment. I like your user name too. Are you a Hypergal? Lol. Italianmomma

I believe depression is anger turned inwards.Or an attempt to supress that anger,smother it because its not ok to be angry at that person etc.But also in my experience anxiety causes anger too.Needing to get something done,needing to get it done now,this is important to me cause Im worried about etc etc etc.People are around ,they are capable of taking some of the load off your shoulders ,to ease some of the tension but they dont..They dont care when they should ,that makes me angry...

Hi Grass,
Glad you commented. I'm not really to sure about depression because I was diagnosed with anxiety. I do agree that anxiety causes anger too. And when I'm angry that can get my anxiety really going. I like to get things done too. I don't like things to not get done then it just builds up more and more. And then I can't stop thinking about what needs to be done. So I too like to stay on top of things. Yes I think people should help. That would make me mad if they didn't. Well thanks again my friend for your comment. You take good care. Hugs. Italianmomma

Whenever my anxiety is high I tend to be more irritated with everyone like I get very on edge. I always snap at people because they don't understand but I never even took the time to explain to them so it's pretty unfair of me. It's something I'm trying to work on because I shouldn't expect people to just know that I'm not doing well without me saying anything at all.

Hi Frogsoup,
It's nice to meet you. When my anxiety is really bothering me, I get really annoyed and impatient and get irritated too. People don't understand how you feel when you have anxiety or any other illness. They just don't get it. Even when you explain it they still don't get it. Only you can understand because you go through it.
That part of people really bothers me. I wish they could be more supportive and understand our feelings. Well I hope you can tell them how your feeling and they understand. Because it would make you feel a lot better. And life alittle easier for everyone. Thank you for your comment. Italianmomma

lol...I am NOT a hypergal---well, at least not lately---right now I am a couchtatergal! lol...
I was a hyper p gal.....which stands for hyperparathyroidism---the original reason I joined Daily Strength. (only place I could find a support group!) and then a month after I finally got a surgery I had a complete "nervous breakdown" but still not sure if the surgery threw me into some sort of anxiety crisis...all those messed up hormones and all.