Anger and mood swings frequently go hand in hand for a number of reasons. For many people experiencing mood swings, anger is the easiest and safest way for them to express their feelings, and is often associated with conditions such as bipolar disorder or depression. Alzheimer's disease is another condition in which anger and mood swings are often seen in conjunction with each other. Some people are simply more prone to these types of outbursts based on their personalities or the way they were raised, such as in a hostile or otherwise negative environment.
Mood swings can be caused by a number of things; hormonal changes, chemical imbalances in the brain, and changes to diet or exercise, just to name a few. Stressful or upsetting situations often cause mood swings as well, and some people simply experience them for seemingly no reason. When an individual experiences a mood swing, he or she might feel anxious, sad, or upset; often, people who do not know how to handle these feelings will find that instead, anger is the most intuitive manifestation of the emotion. Others will just find that their anger and mood swings are inextricably linked, and that any type of changes to the mood causes feelings of rage, violence, or simple annoyance.
Mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder or major depression often cause anger and mood swings as well, often in conjunction with manic episodes with those suffering from bipolar disorder or anxiety with depressed individuals. The inability to control the mood often leads to a feeling of frustration, and anger becomes a natural byproduct. Individuals with Alzheimer's are another group in which anger and mood swings are often seen in conjunction. Children with attention-deficit disorders such as ADD or ADHD might also experience angry outbursts and mood swings as they experience difficulty concentrating on or completing tasks.
There are a number of ways to attempt to prevent and deal with anger and mood swings. Some people find that eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help moderate the mood swings associated with stressful or upsetting events, or mood swings that seem to occur for no reason. Seeking mental health treatment such as therapy or medication may also be able to reduce the frequency of these issues. A therapist might also be able to provide strategies for preventing angry outbursts or for expressing feelings in a more productive way with other people.
