Anger triggers the body’s stress response, often leading to a rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, and shallow or quickened breathing. These physical changes prepare the body to react, but when anger is frequent or intense, it can take a toll. Ongoing stress from unregulated anger may contribute to issues like headaches, sleep disturbances, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system.

Anger can show up in actions like yelling, shutting down, being sarcastic, or becoming passive-aggressive. These responses may feel instinctive in the moment but often create misunderstandings, damage trust, or leave important issues unresolved. Over time, repeated patterns of unhelpful behavior can affect relationships, self-esteem, and a person’s ability to communicate their needs in a healthy way.

Anger can be intense and emotionally draining, often taking up a great deal of energy. It frequently masks deeper feelings such as hurt, fear, or vulnerability, which can make it challenging to understand and express our true needs and emotions. When anger goes unaddressed, it  can affect overall emotional well-being and make it harder to build healthy connections with ourselves and others.

Anger can affect how we think and process information. It may lead to black-and-white thinking, jumping to conclusions, or assuming the worst in others. In the heat of the moment, it can become difficult to see situations clearly or consider other perspectives. Long term, this can reinforce negative thought patterns and make it harder to resolve conflicts effectively.