Have you ever been in a situation that starts with a conflict, blows out of proportion, and has you in fits of rage only to end in you breaking down into tears? This is just one example, albeit a simple one of how anger and sadness may be closely linked. (Try hiring therapist in alabama).
Over the course of this blog however we’re going to go a little deeper than the surface level interchangeability of the two emotions. The thing is, in many instances, range and anger is merely a cover up for deep lying sadness and depression.
We’re going to delve into how this works a little bit.
The Link between Anger and Depression
We’re going to elaborate on two ways in which anger and depression may be linked. One is how anger may mask underlying depression, the other being how a depressive mind can add fuel to existing anger.
Anger as a Mask Emotion
When it comes to anger as a masking emotion for depression, this has a lot to do with conditioning and what we’re told are acceptable emotions when we’re growing up. Depending on the culture, home and environment you were raised in, you might consider sadness an acceptable emotion or feeling.
This does not mean you were told this in so many words. This could have simply been learned by observing the conduct of role model figures as well as subtle messages you received from the way they responded to you. The resulting belief here would be that anger is a more acceptable emotion than sadness (or depression).
If someone with this belief develops depression later, more often than not, the same manifests as rage as opposed to sadness. It is only upon deep work with a specialist or extensive personal process that one can reconnect and express adequately the depression within in such cases.
How the Depression Contributes
The anger and depression dance is an intricate one. Where the anger is used subconsciously to mask and cover the depression, the depression too does its bit to fuel the rage.
Anyone suffering from depression would be familiar, among other things, with the self-deprecating inner voices that one contends with from day to day. This along with the added struggle of having to contend with the crippling symptoms of depression serves to frustrate the individual even more.
Where in some instances, a little anger directed at the inner voice responsible for the negative self-talk is healthy, this can often blow out of proportion. The resulting feelings or emotional energy then manifest as anger turned inwards (self-harm et al) and anger turned outwards i.e. rage and aggressive behavior.
Under any circumstances, it is the depression here adding fuel to the anger which in turn moves to overtly mask the underlying depression.
Winding Down
We have dissected and greatly simplified the correlation between anger and depression for our readers. This being said, if you’re someone struggling with either rage or depression, it makes sense to seek help and support.
If you require further clarity or a one on one consultation, there are Therapists in Birmingham and psychodynamic psychologists in Birmingham who have the skills and training to help you work through whatever you are struggling with.