The Surprising Symptom of Depression- Anger and Irritability

HeyRitual is a sponsor of Therapy in a Nutshell

Media portrays the depressed person as struggling to get out of bed, crying, drowning in despair. And while sadness is indeed a key symptom of depression, it’s not the only way it shows up. Anger or irritability is actually one of the primary ways that depression shows up in children and teens. But that anger doesn’t just turn off when you turn 18. So, today we're going to peel back the layers and explore how depression manifests as anger and irritability.

Irritability and Anger are Symptoms of Depression
Depression isn’t just feeling sad, it’s a whole-body experience that can impact every aspect of your life. Symptoms include losing pleasure in activities, changes in appetite or sleep, and often feeling sad, empty or hopeless. But researchers estimate that 30-40% of people experience rage or anger as part of their depression. Sometimes these emotions can be so overpowering that one researcher calls them “Anger attacks” he relates them to panic attacks. Other research showed that of 500 people with depression, over half of them experienced anger attacks, but that when they received treatment, like antidepressant medication, that anger subsided for the majority of them.

Another long-term study found anger is associated with more severe or chronic depression, higher rates of substance abuse, and it’s also linked to familial bipolar disorder.

Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

[abbsorad]

i feel like i come off as angry or irritated because i’m stuck in survival mode, im so tense sometimes the littlest things set me off in big ways

[tammymiller]

Anger is a signal that something needs to change. Depression is the feeling that it won't.

[Erin-hoqu]

I feel like people have sympathy for the sadness part of depression but not other symptoms

[Chickaqee]

I see depression as helplessness that arose after the world hurt you, you tried to defend yourself and cope, and you were unable to. I think more than anything, more than any theory of depression I can learn, I just want a hug in my darkest moments. A little compassion for the wounded part of me that was taught that I was powerless. After all I've been through, of course I'm depressed. It'd be much weirder if I wasn't. Please, just see me, offer me compassion, hugs, love, for the pain I have felt, not pills or pathology.

[mwwhatever]

I feel like my rage is always just right under the surface

[askNatasha]

Internalizing can also be “brushing it off” or “suck it up” or “it’s not that bad” and when you avoid those feelings long enough it builds and explodes in anger.

[stephs]

This really resonated with me. I’ve been so irritable and tired. I tend to be very negative and feel like everyone is against me. I’ve been trying to challenge my negativity with positivity.

[lillywho]

I can definitely relate... I'm in so much emotional pain that oversteps the boundary into physical pain, it makes me grumpy as all hell.

[MyWifeUsesMyAccount]

Thank you for this. As long as I can remember I’ve been the “angry child”. I’ve always had these bouts of rage that I couldn’t understand why. Extremely irritable. And with that I’ve also remembered feeling depressed as long as I can remember. This makes so much sense. I was recently diagnosed with persistent depression…so it answers the question of why am I always so angry, so exhausted/tired, so irritable. Goodness gracious.

[katiesanders]

3:54 Externalizing vs. Internalizing
5:30 Depression Impairs Emotional Regulation
6:10 Depression Colors Your Worldview
6:50 Suppressed Feelings (Anger Iceberg)
7:45 Depression Causes Physical Pain and Emotional Exhaustion
8:47 How to Help Yourself
10:30 How to Help Someone Else with Depression

[fembot]

Yup. The biggest symptom of my grief from my husband dying is anger and bitterness.

[Ozziecatsmom]

I find that irritability and anger are the 2 main symptoms of my depression. It’s very difficult especially at work. My medication, and sleeping enough help. Seeing a psychologist for a few sessions a few years ago also helped.

[rosaliethon]

depression.. is when one is stuck in a unhealthy situation.. with no support or help... and they feel like they have no more energy or resilience .. to keep going . like they want to just quit!!! when, there is no light at the end of the tunnel

[bizffatar]

Psilocybin mushrooms healed me . I can't explain it but my experience has been spiritual and eye opening . I also started micro dosing . It really helped me get rid of depression and anxiety .

[c.a.parker]

Thank you Emma. As an off-the-charts introvert with depression, it is hard to contemplate counseling because of the stress of starting a new relationship. Your sincere and sensible information has helped me put it together enough to reach out to the counselors available to me. I imagine you are also a big help to those who cannot afford counseling.❤

[percubit]

I am dealing with anger and depression and anxiety all at the same time. stress is killing me.

[bridiewright]

I'm angry all the time, especially wen go out with road rage, since mum died, anxiety gone up, presumably it's grief with me, thanks as always ❤

[jamiehackney]

Anxiety, depression, and PMS cycle = a 24/7 emotional rollercoaster 🫠
I internalize most of the time but too much internalizing leads to externalizing to cope with too much internalizing 😵‍💫

[traciayala]

This explains alot and makes me feel less alone in feeling this during major depressive episodes. I thought i was just losing it or even more unhinged during my bipolar episodes. Thank you so much so this video.

[TNLog]

I was diagnosed with chronic depression in 1994 and have experienced persistent bouts of anger and so many of the other symptoms mentioned in the video. None of my numerous care providers during that nearly 30 years has ever mentioned depression causing anger. Why is this not more well known? This is so helpful to understand why this continues to happen. Whereas I know there are other factors contributing to my anger, most of my providers have blamed it on the Adderall I take for ADHD. I want to learn more!