[ginger62]

I suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder with agoraphobia. Not only do I have the Panic/Anxiety Attacks, but I have what they call "Anger Attacks". There are as awful as the panic attacks, but more so to the person I get angry with. I was wondering if anyone else has heard of these type of attacks (it's all emotional, never physical and comes on out of NO WHERE) or if anyone else has these type of attacks and what type of coping skills are used... I really need to get all of this under control. It has ruined a very special relationship... I'm scared.

I do receive CBT therapy and my therapist has talked about these attacks as being part of the "flight or fight" process of the disorder. I can understand that part, but how do I explain this and how do I deal with it????

Thank you to anyone who answers....

[Rohag]

Hello & Welcome, Ginger62! I had not heard of "anger attacks," but thanks to your post I've now read a bit about them. If I may ask, how often do you experience anger attacks? Have you been able to identify any triggers for them?

[Nalgene]

I am not sure if I can aid with any coping mechanisms for your "anger attacks". I feel like I have the same problems though. I have moments where for no reason I feel like I could attack someone or something (I usually just think about breaking things) or just run away which I have done in the past. The problem is that I don't know why I am angry and there are no events that preclude my anger. My hands start to shake and I pace around and just try to ride it out, but not knowing why I am so angry makes me more angry. I have started writing in a journal, and I have gone for walks when I am that angry. The problem with the walks is that I feel I could just walk forever. I don't know if this was helpful, I have to work on fixing this issue as well.

[BatsAndButterflies]

I feel like the same thing happens to me sometimes. If something happens that gets me REALLY worked up, I start yelling into a pillow and punching my bed or couch or something. I have to be really careful not to take my anger out on my cat sometimes...

[sunsetsunrise]

Ginger, I have GAD and agoraphobia. As well as depression, panic attacks, phobias galore, to name a few. I do sometimes feel angry. Its the thing I hate the most about myself, actually. For me I wonder if some of it is just because of the extreme emotional pain and isolation. I have heard it said more than once that underneeth anger is pain. I wish I knew of ways to deal with the anger. I would assume that CBT would have some good tools though.