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The image of a bipolar person with anger issues is something that has been perpetuated through the media for years; however, it is also very stigmatizing and not necessarily correct.
Though people with bipolar disorder struggle with emotional regulation and may have trouble managing feelings like anger or irritability at times, the idea of “bipolar anger” or “bipolar rage,” at least when defined as fits of rage or violence, is not very accurate.
Though “bipolar anger” is not a real condition, people with bipolar disorder may have more difficulty managing emotions like anger, rage, and irritability. Learn what it might be like for people with bipolar disorder to experience anger and how it can be managed.
What Is Bipolar Anger?
“Bipolar anger” doesn’t exist, though emotional regulation can be inhibited by bipolar disorder, which can affect how people with the disorder emote and process what they’re feeling, including anger and rage.
Big feelings like anger, sadness, and frustration can be hard for people with bipolar disorder—as well as people with depression, anxiety, and ADHD—to regulate and process. These emotions can feel very overwhelming, and they may not know how to calm down, which can lead to bouts of anger.
However, even when a bipolar person is struggling to deal with their anger, that doesn’t mean that they are having a fit of rage for no reason. People with bipolar disorder, much like neurodivergent and neurotypical people, can get irritable and angry for a variety of reasons.
They may have angry outbursts, say things they don’t mean, yell, or even overreact to a situation that makes them angry, but these are all normal expressions of anger that everyone experiences at one point or another. Where it becomes an issue is when someone with bipolar disorder hasn’t had treatment. With treatment, a person with bipolar disorder can learn strategies to calm themselves and better deal with their feelings.
Does Bipolar Disorder Give You Anger Issues?
The frequency of a bipolar person getting angry and feeling overwhelmed depends on their personality and set of symptoms—there is no universal experience for bipolar disorder.
Irritability is a common symptom of bipolar disorder, but that doesn’t mean that someone is guaranteed to be angry or lash out. Similarly, people suffering from depression or anxiety may also have a harder time controlling big feelings like anger due to emotional dysregulation.
What Is a Bipolar Meltdown?
“Bipolar meltdown” is a very loaded phrase that further stigmatizes bipolar disorder, but a “bipolar meltdown,” much like “bipolar anger,” isn’t something that really exists.
Rather, the phrase “bipolar meltdown” could refer to a bipolar person having a manic episode or being in a depressed state. These conditions could cause them to lose control of their emotions and have trouble managing them. However, “meltdown” is not an accurate way to describe a bipolar person’s struggle with their mental health.
If a bipolar person is struggling with their emotions, they may not yet have the skills to manage their emotions and moods. With treatment and support, they can gain skills and strategies necessary to help themselves deal with any mood swings. In more extreme cases, however, anger or a “meltdown” for a bipolar person can look like paranoia or psychosis. If there’s any concern for personal or public safety, please call 911 or other support.
How Long Can Bipolar Anger Last?
Since “bipolar anger” is not a real condition, anger experienced by people who have bipolar disorder will vary depending on the person, mainly regarding how much treatment they’ve received. For this reason, it is difficult to predict how long a person with bipolar disorder may experience an episode of anger, rage, or irritability.
There are even differences between how long people with bipolar 1 may experience an episode versus people with bipolar disorder 2. For example, people with bipolar 1 must experience mania for at least seven days for it to be classified as a “manic episode.” People with bipolar 2, on the other hand, must experience hypomania for at least four days for it to meet the criteria for an episode, though the DSM-5 classifies two days as “short-duration” hypomania.
How to Manage “Bipolar Anger”
Bipolar disorder can be difficult to manage, especially if you’re on your own. Finding support, whether that be from a mental health professional or friends and family, can be very helpful. Treatment like psychotherapy and medication are also important.
If you take medication for your bipolar disorder, enlisting help in taking them can be another way to help yourself. Since bipolar disorder is an issue with the brain, it needs to be treated as such. Medication is an important part of treating your symptoms, so if you struggle with remembering to take it, ask a close loved one to help you remember and provide reminders.
Environment also plays a big part in how able you might be to deal with your emotions. Many aspects of one’s environment could be overwhelming you or may have changed, such as your:
- Relationships
- Routines
- Treatment
- Situation
The best way to deal with these issues is to discover the source of your anger or irritability—why is it happening? One way to do this is to walk with anger instead of pushing against it. Your feelings happen for a reason, and even if that reason doesn’t necessarily make sense, acknowledging the root of the issue is often the best way to solve the problem. Practice letting the anger speak and tell you what’s wrong, then deciding the appropriate action.
Final Thoughts
In the end, regulating your emotions as someone with bipolar disorder takes practice. The more strategies and coping skills you have in place, the more prepared you’ll be to deal with your emotions as they come. If you are bipolar, or think you might have bipolar disorder, and struggle managing your anger, consider seeking the help of a mental health professional.
