Anger Management and Anger Disorders

What is Anger Management?

Anger is an intense emotional state as opposed to a clinical diagnosis. Anger Management refers to a set of skills and coping mechanisms utilized to help individuals better manage their anger or frustration. This anger, aggression, and frustration is especially difficult to control when it comes from diagnosable mental health disorders. A person with dysregulated verbal physical expressions of anger may benefit from Anger Management training. When untreated, angry outbursts can interrupt functioning in intimate relationships, school, work, and with strangers in public places. Individuals who find their mismanagement of their expression of anger has negatively impacted their functioning in social, educational, and occupational realms may benefit from Anger Management support. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, and Conduct Disorder are all clinical diagnoses where unmitigated expression of anger might be an active component. 

Disorders of Aggression & Anger

What are the Symptoms of Clinical Intermittent Explosive Disorder?

Symptoms of clinical Intermittent Explosive Disorder include verbal or physical acts of aggression, which are often referred to as outbursts, are in response to minimal provocation, often occur with a known other, and generally have a duration of thirty minutes. Individuals diagnosed with this disorder generally experience both types of outbursts: frequent verbal and physical acts of aggression to people, animals, and property that do not cause permanent damage, as well as less frequent verbal and physical acts of aggression to people, animals, and property that do cause damage. The diagnosis of Intermittent Explosive Disorder is reserved for individuals over age six (or with a commensurate developmental degree).

• The inability to control aggressive outbursts as illustrated by at least one of the following:
  • For at least three months, an average of at least two times a week, the individual will administer verbal or physical aggression towards people or animals that does not result in injury; or, verbal or physical aggression towards property that does not result in physical damage or ruin.
  • Within twelve months, at least three times, the individual will administer physical aggression towards people or animals that does result in injury; or, physical in aggression toward property that does result in physical damage or ruin.
• The individual’s outburst is disproportionate to the provocation or instigating event.
• The acts of verbal or physical aggression are spontaneous, as in not pre-meditated and they are acts of expression of anger but not with an expressed aim of a distinct goal (meaning, the act of aggression is not specifically performed to gain power or money).
• The acts of verbal or physical aggression cause impairment in social or occupational functioning; or, the acts of verbal or physical aggression cause distress for the individual; or, the acts of verbal or physical aggression cause fiscal or legal consequences. 
• The acts of verbal or physical aggression and anger are not better explained by or attributed to substance use, prescription medication, a medical condition, or other mental disorders.

What are the Symptoms of Clinical Conduct Disorder?

Individuals with the diagnosis of Clinical Conduct Disorder will express three of the following criteria within the past twelve months and one criterion will have been expressed within the past six months. Additionally, the individual’s oppositional behavior will have instigated impairment in functioning in the social, educational, or occupational arenas. 

• Aggression to people and animals, as expressed through:
  • Intimidation, threats, and bullying
  • The initiation of physical fighting
  • Use of a dangerous external weapon
  • Physical cruelty to animals
  • Physical cruelty to people
  • The combination of stealing while confronting as in armed robbery or mugging someone
  • Using physical force in sexual activity
• Destruction of property, as expressed through:
  • Deliberate arson with the intent to destroy property through fire
  • Deliberate destruction of property by means other than arson
• Theft or deceit as expressed through:
  • Stealing by means of breaking and entering into buildings, autos, or homes
  • Stealing by non-confrontational means such as shoplifting or forgery
  • Purposeful lies for personal gain at the expense of others
• Rule violation as expressed through:
  • Running away from home at least two times for brief stints, or at least once for a significant amount of time
  • Staying out late despite rules against doing so, with an onset before age 13
  • Skipping school despite rules against doing so, with an onset before age 13

What are the Behaviors in Clinical Oppositional Defiance Disorder?

• Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) is a diagnosis reserved for children under age 12. In this disorder, children exhibit behavior that is argumentative, defiant, vindictive, and these individuals express an angry or irritable mood. 

Anger Management at Silicon Beach Treatment Center 

At Silicon Beach Treatment Center, we can help you learn anger management skills and techniques. Our task when treating any area of client suffering is to identify the nature of your experience with it, explore the underlying causes, and work together to usher in resiliency, foster a more hopeful outlook, and restore equilibrium. Our caring, trained professionals will work diligently to bring you the support, interventions, and treatment you need.

General Disclaimer
Please note, the information on this page is based on the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, however, it is in no way exhaustive on the subject of each disorder discussed. This text is not intended to be the basis of self-diagnosis of any disorder. Only a trained mental health provider can provide you with an accurate diagnosis based on a myriad of factors and details specific to your particular case.