Hi friends, Here are some things that help get me out of the continuum of irritation-anger-p***'ed off-verbally rude/abusive-rage-fury-screaming (privately! but is mighti scare my two cats). or smashing something.

Humor -- my boyfriend/partner sometimes has great jokes and he'll tel lme one on the phone, and I'll will break out in giant belly laughs. Another thing is a good video, preferably a really GOOD thriller. Sometimes I think I've seen all the good thrillers. Sleeping. Eating a home made brownie. (Only one -- I could eat a whole tray if I'd let myself...) Reading a thriller.

I have a Cathy comic book and a Calvin and Hobbes comic book in my Kindle reader. I need a magnifier to read t hem, but it's worth it!!!

Trouble is, I CAN'T GET STARTED on any of those...plus, once I feel better,I'm right back "at" the issue that "set me off" in the firsti place, like dealing with so-called customer service for my cell phone.

I have "parked" (turned off) my cell phone, planning to leave it that way until Jan. 1, 2017, at whichpoint if I have 100% off the cell phone, I will cancel the service once and for all. I still have a good land line, with "all the bells and whistles."

I am also setting a timer to see exactly how many minutes/hours I'm spending on email and internet. Research on medical/bipolar issues I have, I don't count in that total.

So, how to YOU break out of this rag-ey frame of mind? How do you break the "spell" that it has over you, if you suffer that way, like I do.

When I feel strong rage I usually go scream in my shed (used to drive full speed with windows down, music loud and scream singing but I no longer drive while upset). Rage usually just makes me cry hysterically.

Rage is a terrible emotion. I used to break things but I hope I'm past that.

[Wander]

It is a tough emotion to shut down. Getting out of it depends on the cause as well. Is your rage a reaction to something or 'just' BP rage? Exercise helps me, even just a fast walk. Uplifting music also helps but sometimes positivity pisses me off even more and I oddly find angry music cathartic. Tearing up newspaper, or any kind of paper helps me at times. Then there is good ole distraction, anything that occupies your mind and takes you away from the dark thoughts and feelings.

Then of course, if all else fails, there are meds. I take Clonazepam and if agitated and getting out of control Olanzapine (Zyprexa). If really bad I need high doses to totally 'check out' and then hopefully sleep it off.

hope you feel calmer soon.

Originally Posted by flowerbells

What gets you out of a rage?

The arrival of the guys in the white jackets with the big nets.

Originally Posted by Lefty the Salesman

The arrival of the guys in the white jackets with the big nets.

I'm imagine your only partially kidding (((hugs))). I've never been dragged in but I have tried to run away and been caught. I just wanted a cigarette before being wheeled off and they wouldn't even allow that. I went peacefully once they caught me. No need for violence to ensue. I'm a peaceful person (usually). There were these 2 times....but I try to block them from my memory bank.

[mindwrench]

When the emotion that the rage is covering up starts breaking through then the rage is over. I go from teeth clinched looking for something to destroy to retreating into solitude to cry my eyes out.

Originally Posted by mindwrench

When the emotion that the rage is covering up starts breaking through then the rage is over. I go from teeth clinched looking for something to destroy to retreating into solitude to cry my eyes out.

I cry too....just raging tears of anger and pain and frustration. Sometimes it's cathartic and others it's fuel in the fire. I feel like tearing everything to shreds and burning down cities (not that I would do either, let me repeat, I would do neither)