The Link Between Trauma and Anger: Insights from Psychologists in Melbourne

For many of us, anger can feel like a quick, hot flash of frustration or a simmering resentment that can be eased by temporary distractions and activities that soothe us. However, for some, anger can feel so overwhelming and intense, that it seems uncontrollable or frightening. While not applicable in every instance, this intense anger can stem from unresolved trauma. 

When this persists, it can lead to aggression towards others or ourselves. In the process of managing these outbursts and patterns of behaviour, it’s important that we establish processes of intervention to help regain control. In this article, we will explore the connection between anger and trauma - and the subsequent treatments that can help. 

Trauma as a Trigger for Anger: Understanding its Foundation

Trauma, especially unresolved, can significantly affect our ability to manage emotions.In many cases, anger becomes a kind of shield, a way our mind adapts to protect us from the emotional pain we experience.

Anger as a Defence Mechanism

After a traumatic event, particularly one that involves violation, abandonment, or harm by another, anger can become a tool that helps us cope. This response mobilises us, both mentally and physically to be ready for threats or challenges we face, and allows us to feel equipped or in control to address the threat or stimulus at hand.

Whilst anger can be protective, relying on it as a primary coping mechanism for extended periods of time can create barriers. It can limit, our ability to build trust in relationships and may lead to isolation, or strain the connections we have with those we care about.

Anger as a Secondary Emotion

While anger is a valid emotion on its own, psychologists can often categorise it as a “secondary emotion.” This means that it has the capacity to mask other underlying emotions such as fear, sadness, or shame, that may feel difficult to confront. For those who have experienced trauma, these underlying emotions can be overwhelming, and anger often steps in as a way to protect us from feeling these more painful emotions.

Becoming “Stuck” in Anger

Anger is a natural part of our survival response. However, trauma can sometimes trick us into feeling that we are constantly in this state, even when it’s not necessary. Here, our mind and body stay primed for confrontation, which psychologists sometimes refer to as “becoming stuck” in anger. 

This is why veterans are thought to have an increased risk of violence after coming home from service. It also explains why those who were abused as children may find themselves perpetuating a cycle of abuse. 

Living in this chronic state of anger can strain both body and mind, limiting our ability to process and heal from the trauma fully. 

How Trauma Reshapes the Brain’s Response to Anger

When we have been through traumatic experiences, the amygdala - often called the brain’s ‘fear centre’, becomes hyperactive. This keeps us in a constant state of heightened alertness, as the brain tries to defend itself against perceived threats, whether they are real or not. 

Additionally, trauma can decrease the effectiveness of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for rational thought and impulse control. This impairment reduces our capacity to regulate our emotions, making us more vulnerable to emotional outbursts, including anger.  

This combination is referred to as ‘amygdala hijacking’, where the logical mind is overpowered by emotional responses. In this state, anger can flare up almost instantly, often before we have had the chance to process what we are feeling. 

Common Anger Patterns in Trauma Survivors

When we’ve experienced trauma, our relationship with anger often shifts in ways that reflect our personal history, the nature of the trauma, and our individual coping mechanisms. There are two common patterns trauma survivors exhibit:

1. Internalised Anger

For those who have experienced prolonged trauma, such as childhood neglect or emotional abuse, anger may be internalised and for a long time. This can lead to self-blame, low self-esteem, or chronic anxiety. It may also contribute to physical symptoms such as high blood pressure, chronic pain, and immune system complications.

2. Explosive Anger

In cases where we experience a significantly traumatic event, anger may emerge more immediately - it can be triggered quickly and intensely. Psychologists refer to this as “re-traumatisation”, where present situations evoke memories or sensations from the past, causing the outburst.

Therapeutic Approaches to Healing Trauma-Driven Anger

Healing from trauma-driven anger involves more than just managing symptoms - it requires an in-depth therapeutic process to address the root causes. Here are some recommended approaches:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This treatment focuses on recognising and reshaping thought patterns that can lead to anger. By challenging these automatic thoughts and replacing them with more balanced perspectives, we can begin to shift the subconscious mechanisms that have kept anger as a default response. 

• Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation Techniques: Mindfulness practice teaches us to stay present and grounded, allowing us to build awareness of our emotions in the moment. By cultivating this awareness, we can create a pause between a trigger and our response, giving us space to choose how we react. Techniques like deep breathing, guided meditations or journalling can empower us to manage anger in a calmer, more intentional way. 

• Somatic Experiencing and Body-Based Therapy: Trauma doesn’t just affect our minds, it is also stored in the body and can show up as muscle tension, chronic pain, or even digestive issues. omatic experiencing is a body-based therapeutic approach and focuses on gently releasing this stored energy. Instead of relying solely on thought and emotion based methods, it works from the “bottom up”, starting with physical sensations, as opposed to the more cognitive, experiential reasoning more typical of treatments like DBT. Through gentle techniques like grounding, tracking physical sensations, and manageable, controlled movements, we can begin to resolve the physiological stress responses tied to trauma. This process allows our body to complete what was interrupted during a traumatic event, helping the nervous system to return to a more regulated state. Over time, this approach can ease the intensity of trauma-related anger and help us feel more in control and at peace.

Key Takeaway

Trauma can have long-lasting effects on our mental, emotional, and physical well-being, manifesting in ways like anger. Finding ways to address this at its root, rather than just managing symptoms, is essential for healing. Trauma-focused therapy offers a path to understanding and resolving these responses, creating space for emotional balance. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with anger related to trauma, we at Inner Eastern Psychology can be a good place to start: to find the right therapy to address your needs and help you better process your emotions and experiences. Contact us today to learn more about our services.