1. What is the relationship between childhood trauma and anger in adulthood?
To understand the relationship between childhood trauma and the manifestation of extremes of emotions in early adulthood, such as anger, would require a deeper understanding of what adverse childhood experiences are. In psychology, Anger can be described as an intense emotion you feel when someone has wronged you, or a situation has gone wrong. Anger can be good, as it gives you an outlet to express negative feelings, and it can also help motivate you to create solutions to problems. Anger is an emotion we all feel, and it is part of being human. Anger can however, become unhealthy when you are unable to understand why you are angry, in terms of intensity, your anger is not proportionate to the situation that has occurred, you are unable to have any management or coping strategies to help with your emotions and actions when you are angry thereby not being able to move forward in that situation in a healthy manner. Once you understand what’s triggered your anger, you can work on processing your emotions and planning how you want to move forward.
Some people see anger and aggression as the same thing. In fact, anger is an emotion that we feel, while aggression is how some of us behave when we feel angry.
Childhood Trauma has been known to cause not only Anxiety and depression but also anger and irritability. In research done in the Netherlands by N De Bles et al, published September 2022 by Cambridge University Press, among 2,276 participants, Childhood trauma showed a dose-response association with anger in adulthood. Emotional neglect, psychological, and physical abuse were associated with all anger constructs, independently of depression or anxiety. Their study concludes that Childhood trauma is linked with anger in adulthood.
Unresolved Trauma from childhood can manifest as anger and antisocial personality traits in adulthood.
Children who have experienced trauma may internalize their anger instead of expressing it when they feel powerless against the adults who inflict the pain.
In extreme cases, Trauma experienced can lead to a mental health condition called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some of the signs of PTSD include reliving the event (having flashbacks or nightmares), Avoidance, Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Problems with trust, Self-destructive or risky behaviors, and Withdrawal.
2. Can parental loss, parental divorce, or being placed in foster care affect someone when such a person has grown up?
The loss of a spouse through death, the separation of a couple, and eventual divorce are not only painful but emotionally taxing for the couple directly involved. Studies have shown that children are directly affected by parental loss via death, separation, or eventual divorce of their parents, or being placed in foster care. There may be a regression in terms of the needs of the child regarding dependency, so the child may not be as dependent on their parents or caregivers as they used to be. There may be an undermining of the sense of security of the child in the availability and dependability of the parent, particularly if the separation was acrimonious. There may also be an interference with the child gaining an identity, and with interruptions in who the daily caregiver of the child is, there may be issues in the acquisition of sequencing and basic cause and effect. The child may have conflicting feelings about ‘good’ or ‘bad’ traits in himself or others.
All of these effects of separation can be cushioned by the parents or caregivers being available ‘on demand’ to meet the child’s emotional as well as physical needs, following a consistent routine, and for the parents or caregivers to continually do things that will build the child’s trust in them.
 Several other psychosocial variables moderate the risk when there is a separation or divorce that may make the situation more stressful for the child, such as less effective parenting, interparental conflict, economic struggles, and limited contact with one parent.
Marital instability does not present as just one risk factor for the child but as a sequelae.
3. What is the tendency of someone with anxiety and depression to have anger issues?
These may co-exist as signs of a mental health condition referred to as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Some people will have difficulties regulating their emotions and expressing themselves due to past experiences of trauma. They may end up having uncontrollable anger, anxiety, depression, inability to express themselves, and they may also be withdrawn.
4. Is there any danger in being angry always?
Anger only becomes a problem when it gets out of control and harms you or people around you.
For some people, their anger can get out of hand and cause problems with relationships with family and friends, work, and even the law.
Long-term unresolved anger is also directly linked to physical health problems like high blood pressure and heart disease.
Some people do not see their anger problem as the problem; instead, they see other people or things as the problem.
5. How can someone with childhood trauma control anger?
If you ever find that you have problems regulating your emotions, and in particular anger, there are a few things to do that could help, which include learn how to do breathing and relaxation exercises. Regulating your breathing can help slow down your heart rate, and you may eventually find yourself in control of the situation at hand. It is always hopeful to have a journal where you can document situations that happened and how they made you feel, including the degree of intensity of the emotions you felt at the time. Walking away from the situation that has made you angry, breathing some fresh air, and even doing some exercise like going for a walk has been shown to help. Reading books on anger and how to deal with anger can be helpful.
Calling or texting someone whom is someone that you trust and who is dear to you can also help you control your emotions. Regularly practicing self-care can also help with anger problems. If you find out that you still have difficulties regulating your emotions, then it may be necessary to speak to your doctor, who may advise on some medication if needed, and you can also get a referral to a psychologist for some talking therapy, which is Anger Management. The goal of anger management is to reduce both your emotional feelings and the physiological arousal that anger causes.
Dr Jide Jeje is a specialist in Psychiatry working for the NHS, UK.
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