Echoes of Anguish: The Duality of Depression and Anger

Echoes of anguish: the duality of depression and anger. I used to get angry because of the depression. Why me? I became this very bitter person inside and out. I somehow got lost in myself.

My mother was angry all the time, so I joined her. Actually, I fought with her. Wasn’t a pretty site. I blamed her for all my mental problems.

Until one day, I took responsibility for my actions and reactions. I felt like life wasn’t supposed to be like this. I began to see there was more to life than depression and anger. So, here I am!

Consequently, anger can be a symptom of depression. Also, some psychoanalytic theorists believe that anger management difficulties may play a role in the onset and persistence of depression.

Altogether, people with depression may experience angry outbursts, irritability, or frustration, even over minor matters.

They may also feel angry or irritated towards friends, family, or coworkers, or overreact to small things.

About one-third of depressed outpatients may experience “anger attacks,” which are sudden episodes of anger accompanied by physical symptoms like sweating, hot flashes, and chest tightness.

Anger and Depression Symptoms

Anger Symptoms

Consequently, anger can be a symptom of depression, especially when it’s persistent and doesn’t have a clear cause. Other symptoms of depression that can manifest as anger include:

Guilt: Feeling guilty or regretful

Irritability: Feeling easily annoyed or touchy, or getting impatient with yourself or others

Anger attacks: Sudden, intense bursts of anger that can be triggered by minor things

Harsh remarks: Making critical or sharp comments

Symptoms of Depression

Echoes of anguish: the duality of depression and anger. Symptoms of depression don’t follow the same pattern for everyone, but common signs include:

firstly, feelings of emptiness or emotional numbness
less interest in your regular activities, like work, school, or time with family and friends
additionally, difficulty enjoying things that used to excite you or bring pleasure
unusual anger and irritability
brain fog, which might include difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or handling everyday tasks
particularly, changes in energy, which could involve unusual restlessness, a sense of being slowed down, or fatigue
in addition, sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
changes in your appetite and weight
physical symptoms, like headaches, body aches and pains, or digestive concerns, that lack a clear cause
lastly, thoughts of self-harm or suicide

When Sadness Turns Into Anger

You’re so tired of the sadness that it turns into anger. It can be towards yourself, someone else, or the world in general.

You’re so angry at the way your life is turning out. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. You had plans for your future, but they never got off the ground.

Hell, they never left your head. Basically, they just got stuffed there, fermenting into anger. Why God did you choose me to suffer so greatly?

I get it now. So I can help other people through their tough times through this blog. If I can convince someone with my words not to kill themselves, then I have accomplished my duty.

Depression and Anger Outbursts

Echoes of anguish: the duality of depression and anger. First the depression set in. And then it turned to angry outbursts. I was so tired of life already and I was only a teen. But the outbursts kept coming.

Soon, everyone I came into contact with had to deal with my wrath. Subsequently, I never knew that I had that much hate and disdain for life.

But then I gradually realized that there was more to life than being angry at it all the time. So, I let myself experience joy and happiness which I hadn’t done in a long time.

As a result, situations started to become more enjoyable and I even began to smile and laugh again. Everything is all doom and gloom when that’s all you perceive.

I’m content now and where I fit-in in life. Sometimes you have to wade through the dense clouds to get to the rainbow.

Can Depression and Anxiety Cause Violent Behavior?

Accordingly, my violent behavior was directed towards myself. I never wanted to hurt anyone no matter how angry I became. It started with the cutting.

I always told my therapist that the emotional pain was far worse than the physical pain. Therefore, I would cut myself to distract myself with the physical pain so I didn’t feel that lonely, emotional pain.

At the time, I disliked and loathed myself to the point where I didn’t care if I died. I felt like nobody else cared about me, so why should I?

I became so sick of the repitition of in and out of the hospital. So, I decided to change my attitude and self injuring myself. Best decision I ever made.

Anger Depression and Anxiety

Echoes of anguish: the duality of depression and anger. During that dark period, anxiety started to creep in. Totally blind sided me. I was so afraid of everything. And the worrying about every little thing was damaging at the time.

At this point, I had three emotions that I didn’t know how to deal with and I did a shitty job at it. To tell you the truth I don’t know how I kept living. I guess God didn’t want me to go just yet.

Meanwhile, I believe when the anxiety sprung up, I started hiding from everyone. I wouldn’t leave the apartment for days, maybe even months. At length, I wasn’t paying attention to the time.

Plus, I was having delusions from the schizophrenia which made everything so much worse. I was a frickin’ mess, wasn’t I?

Treatment for Anger and Depression

Echoes of anguish: the duality of depression and anger. At any rate, I was on many different meds and none of them seemed to be working. Although, I was getting plenty of the side effects from them.

I believe it was the conscious decision that I didn’t want to feel like that anymore that turned my life around. Besides, I was tired of the same old routine that wasn’t getting me anywhere.

Do Antidepressants Reduce Anger?

Yes, some antidepressants can help treat anger issues, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

SSRIs are commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety, but they can also help with anger or irritability.

Some SSRIs that may help with anger include: Citalopram (Celexa), Fluoxetine (Prozac), and Sertraline (Zoloft).

I never found any solace in medications. They just put me in a drug induced-like coma. Furthermore, I couldn’t tell if I was coming or going.

To this day, I still take meds. What for, I don’t know. I still have delusions and hallucinations. My depression is better because I made that decision to make it better.

I will say one thing, The Klonopin is helping with the anxiety. I would be a mess if I didn’t have that. Although, I’m going to try microdosing, so that might be out of the picture also.

Dealing With Anger and Depression

Echoes of anguish: the duality of depression and anger. If meds help you, great! Hence, for me, dealing with anger and depression changed when I decided I didn’t want to be the person I had become.

I so desperately wanted a better life than the path I had chosen. Sometimes you don’t see things clearly when you’ve got crappy emotion after emotions piled high on top of one another.

When you do see a break, you have to take it. Or just realize that your life doesn’t have to be so negatively influenced. Even more, stop going down that winding staircase into oblivion.

Sum It All Up

Echoes of anguish: the duality of depression and anger. So, how do you deal woth depression and anger. Some people rely on medication, which is cool. I do that, at least for my anxiety.

Some people rely on meds and psychotherapy. That is also helpful. This here is my therapy and you are my therapist since I can’t afford a therapist currently.

I don’t tell you everything, but just enough to help you. I try to be open and honest about the mental illnesses I deal with. Notice, I didn’t say ‘ my mental illnesses.’

Never use that phrase because other people will identify you with that and only that. I used to use it all the time, but I’m so much more than mental illness. Until next time…

Articles About Depression and Anger

-The Connection Between Depression and Anger

https://www.verywellmind.com/connection-between-depression-and-anger-5085725

-Treating Anger Disorders: Anger Management Treatment Program Options

https://www.psychguides.com/anger-management/treatment/#:~:text=Antidepressants%20such%20as%20Prozac%2C%20Celexa,of%20rage%20and%20negative%20emotion.

-Are There Medications for Anger Management?

https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/mental-health/medication-for-anger

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy, One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions

“Depression is living in a body that fights to survive, with a mind that tries to die.”

“Every thought is a battle. Every breath is a war, and I don’t think I’m winning anymore.”

“I don’t want any more of this try, try again stuff. I just want out. I’ve had it. I am so tired. Therefore, I am twenty and I am already exhausted.”

“I wanted to talk about it. Damn it. I wanted to scream. Therefore, I wanted to yell. I wanted to shout about it. But all I could was whisper “I’m fine.”