What Are Rage Disorders? Signs, Effects, and Treatment
While anger isn’t necessarily a harmful emotion, “rage” is associated with a loss of control and emotional and physical harm. Rage disorders can cause someone to struggle with controlling their anger, lash out physically or verbally at others, or regularly display harmful or destructive behaviors.
“Rage disorders” is an umbrella term for several different conditions which can include recurring episodes of intense anger or aggression that feel out of control – and are out of proportion to the triggering situation.
Living with a rage disorder can be isolating, frustrating, and debilitating. If rage is affecting your life, or the life of someone you love, advice and support are available. You are not alone in this experience.
To help you determine whether you or someone you know needs support for a rage disorder, this page discusses:
- What rage disorders are
- Signs of rage disorders
- Long-term effects of rage disorders
- Therapy for rage issues
- When to seek professional help for rage disorders
What Are Rage Disorders?
Imagine for a moment that you’re driving home after work; you’re exhausted and looking forward to getting home, when, suddenly, someone sharply overtakes you on the road. You see red, slam on the horn repeatedly, and shout profanities. You flash your lights and, a moment later, overtake the other driver before slamming on the brakes.
This is an example of an out-of-proportion reaction to a situation. Yes, you might have understood the other driver’s actions as dangerous – but overtaking commonly happens when driving. Instead, the reaction was risky and aggressive. For people with rage disorders, this type of reaction happens frequently. Even though they may regret how they acted in the aftermath, they still struggle to control their anger in response to even the slightest trigger.
Types of Rage Disorders
Conditions associated with rage attacks include:
Intermittent explosive disorder: An impulse control disorder that typically develops in childhood and adolescence, but can persist into adulthood.- Narcissistic personality disorder: Not all people with NPD will exhibit rage, but some may experience rage episodes when their self-image is challenged.
- Mood disorders: People with mood disorders may struggle to manage shifts in their emotions, leading to episodes of rage.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): People with PTSD are highly sensitive to trauma triggers, potentially contributing to rage episodes.
Additionally, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), reactive attachment disorder (RAD), and conduct disorder (CD) are also associated with age-related episodes of rage.
Although the symptoms and severity of rage disorders can decrease with age, they are still long-term conditions that can affect adult relationships, emotional and physical well-being, and quality of life.3
If you’re concerned that either you or a loved one might have a rage disorder, the following signs of rage disorders may help raise awareness.
Signs of Rage Disorders
The Emotional Signs of Rage Disorders
The mental or emotional signs of rage disorders include:
- Feelings of intense anger or rage
- Low tolerance for frustration
- Irritability
- Emotional withdrawal or dissociation
- Racing thoughts
- A loss of control over thoughts and beliefs
The Physical Signs of Rage Disorders
Someone with a rage disorder may experience the following physical symptoms along with their emotional ones:
- A racing heartbeat
- Trembling muscles or muscle tension
- Tightness in the chest
- Headaches or tension in the head
- Tingling sensations
Once someone with a rage disorder experiences these emotional and physical symptoms, they may not be able to regain control of their anger, leading to behavioral outbursts.
The Behavioral Signs of Rage Disorders
- Physical and verbal aggression
- Temper tantrums and arguments
- Inflicting damage to property
- Road rage
- Rambling, angry speeches
- Shouting profanities
- Physical fights, including attacking people and domestic violence
It’s important to note that people with rage disorders don’t feel in control over their outbursts; they happen fast, don’t tend to last any longer than half an hour, and cause distress to the person when they’re over. Someone with a rage disorder understands that their actions are unacceptable – but they don’t know how to deal with them.
Causes of Rage Disorders
Genetics: Studies have shown that there’s a strong link between genetics and aggression or rage – including how people choose to express their anger. Therefore, if someone tends to lose control and become outwardly aggressive, there’s a good chance that they have family members, such as parents, who struggle with the same issues. However, factors such as environment, personality type, and experiences can influence our genetics and affect how we show anger.5- Environment: Our backgrounds, including the environment we grew up in, affect how we express anger and rage. For instance, experiencing childhood trauma and adversity may increase the likelihood of developing a rage disorder.6
- Physical factors: Research has shown structural and chemical differences in the brains of people with rage disorders. For instance, there may be an imbalance in neurotransmitters and hormones, as well as altered function in specific areas such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala.3,7
Although there are genetic, environmental, and physical factors that contribute to aggression, this doesn’t mean that rage disorders are not treatable – a phenomenon called “neuroplasticity” means that our brains are capable of positive change at any stage of life.
Long-Term Effects of Rage Disorders
Some of the long-term effects of rage disorders include:8,9
1. Mental Health Issues
Rage disorders are associated with a higher risk of developing mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, people with anger issues may resort to self-harm as an outlet for their emotions – highlighting the need for professional support.
2. Relationship Problems
Living with someone with a rage disorder may cause someone to feel like they’re constantly “walking on eggshells.” Because the person with anger issues loses control over their actions, they risk becoming emotionally or physically abusive, damaging relationships in the long run.
3. Physical Health Issues
When angry, the body enters “fight” mode as it prepares itself to defend against a threat. Frequently experiencing fight mode can lead to raised blood pressure, heart disease, stomach pains, and strokes.
4. Professional or Academic Difficulties
Regular temper tantrums, outbursts of anger, and loss of control can damage school or workplace relationships, potentially resulting in job loss, suspension, or expulsion.
5. Legal Complications
Losing control over emotions which leads to physical aggression or risk-taking behaviors, such as dangerous driving, can lead to trouble with the law.
Although the symptoms and severity of rage disorders can vary from person to person, the long-term consequences are still very serious and likely require professional support to prevent them from getting worse.
Managing Rage Disorders
Due to the nature of rage disorders, the advisable way to treat them is to talk to a doctor or mental health professional for guidance. Typically, treating rage disorders involves targeting the beliefs and thoughts that lead to behaviors, but, depending on symptoms, medication may also be recommended.
In the meantime, if you or a loved one needs to start getting your rage under control as soon as possible, the following techniques may help:
1. Accept That There's a Problem
If rage or anger is affecting your actions to the extent that it’s damaging your well-being and relationships, it’s important to accept that it’s a problem for you. Chronic rage or anger consumes a lot of mental energy, so to regain control you need to acknowledge that you need support. By taking this step you can prevent further harm to your well-being and relationships.
2. Practice Fast-Acting Relaxation Techniques
Accepting that anger is a problem for you allows you to prepare for episodes in advance. As rage can rapidly consume your emotions and body, it’s important that you use fast-acting relaxation techniques to help you de-escalate and reset your body and mind.
For instance, the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique is fast and effective as it calms the nervous system and pulls your attention from a trigger to your breathing. To practice this technique, simply inhale for four seconds, hold the breath in for seven seconds, and release it slowly for a count of eight. Repeat the technique around four times (or until you feel your body and mind start to relax).
You can also practice daily relaxation techniques to help promote a more neutral or calm state in general, such as meditation or guided visualizations.
3. Challenge How You Think
How we think, feel, and act is all linked. Yet our thoughts, especially the ones that lead to negative emotions such as rage, are often unconscious. It’s important to start paying attention to how you think, when you think it, and how you act in response.
You can start practicing this by keeping a Thought Diary, filling in how you feel each day and what triggered certain thoughts and feelings. Once you can identify unconscious thoughts with practice, you can start replacing them with more accurate ones based on previous experiences. For example:
- Previous thought: They’re talking to me this way because they don’t respect me.
- Replacement thought: They don’t normally speak to me this way. They might be having a bad day.
As a note, this technique takes practice – and may require the guidance of a trained mental health professional, such as a cognitive behavioral therapist.
4. Work On Your Communication Skills
When people experience rage, they often jump from an emotion to a reaction. It’s important to practice relaxation skills in these moments and, when feeling more calm, communicate how you feel. Explain to the other person that you’re afraid of losing control, and that you need a moment to restore balance.
Good communication also means paying attention to the signals your body is giving you, as well as the body language of the other person. Practice non-judgment and avoid using harsh language during this process.
Finally, if rage is a problem for you and relaxation techniques and open communication aren’t working, it’s important to recognize when you should remove yourself from the situation. A change of environment can mentally separate you from a trigger and help you manage your emotions.
Therapy for Rage Issues
If you or someone you care about is experiencing rage problems, controlling your anger may be too much for you to manage by yourself. Trained mental health and medical professionals can help you understand why you experience rage, create a treatment plan, and guide you through the stages of progress.
There are a variety of options for therapy for uncontrollable anger issues. Some of the most evidence-based ones include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for rage disorders is an effective way of identifying how someone feels, thinks, and acts during episodes of anger. It can also help them to pinpoint triggers and prepare for these in advance.
- Trauma-focused therapy: This form of therapy can help explore unresolved trauma that may be contributing to episodes of anger, allowing the process of healing to begin. Trauma-focused therapy also focuses on building coping skills.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT was adapted from CBT for people who struggle with strong or difficult emotions. It can help people with rage issues by teaching them practical ways of managing emotions and stress while also exploring underlying causes.
- Emotion-focused therapy (EFT): Emotion regulation therapy can reduce rage as it increases emotional intelligence, improves communication, and helps resolve conflicts.
- Mindfulness therapy: Mindfulness-based therapy can help someone with a rage disorder focus on the present moment, improve their ability to manage their emotions, and enhance relationships.
Based on your symptoms, a medical professional may recommend medication for severe rage disorders. Medication may help increase your tolerance for triggers and access the strategies provided in therapy.
When to Seek Professional Support for Rage Disorders
Rage disorders can seriously impact mental health, well-being, relationships, and professional and academic success. If you recognize yourself or someone you care about in the symptoms listed in this article, seeking professional support is advised.
It can be very difficult to overcome a rage disorder without professional guidance. Additionally, as rage disorders are frequently associated with diagnosable mental health conditions, seeking help can help reduce their impact on your life.
Mission Connection’s team of trained professionals can help you develop a treatment plan based on your needs. We offer weekly psychiatric care including medication management and in-person or remote individual and group therapy.
Reaching out is the first step towards better health and happiness, and Mission Connection is here to help. Contact us today for support and guidance.
References
1. Yale Medicine. (n.d.). Intermittent explosive disorder. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.yalemedicine.org/clinical-keywords/intermittent-explosive-disorder
2. Shevidi, S., Timmins, M. A., & Coccaro, E. F. (2023). Childhood and parental characteristics of adults with DSM-5 intermittent explosive disorder compared with healthy and psychiatric controls. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 122, 152367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152367
3. Coccaro, E. F. (2012). Intermittent explosive disorder as a disorder of impulsive aggression for DSM-5. American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(6), 601-603. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.11081259
4. Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Intermittent explosive disorder – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/intermittent-explosive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20373921
5. Tuvblad, C., Sild, M., Frogner, L., & Booij, L. (2019). Behavioral Genetics of Aggression and Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Intermittent Explosive Disorder, 17-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813858-8.00002-4
6. Shevidi, S., Timmins, M. A., & Coccaro, E. F. (2023). Childhood and parental characteristics of adults with DSM-5 intermittent explosive disorder compared with healthy and psychiatric controls. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 122, 152367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152367
7. Fanning, J. R., Lee, R., & Coccaro, E. F. (2020). Neurotransmitter function in impulsive aggression and intermittent explosive disorder. In Intermittent Explosive Disorder (pp. 249–269). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119159322.ch10
8. Kulper, D. A., Kleiman, E. M., McCloskey, M. S., Berman, M. E., & Coccaro, E. F. (2015). The experience of aggressive outbursts in Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Psychiatry Research, 225(3), 710-715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2014.11.008
9. McCloskey, M. S., Kleabir, K., Berman, M. E., Chen, E. Y., & Coccaro, E. F. (2010). Unhealthy aggression: Intermittent explosive disorder and adverse physical health outcomes. Health Psychology, 29(3), 324–332. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019072
