Symptoms Of Anger Issues In A Girl And Mental Health Impacts

Adults aren’t the only people who can experience challenges with managing intense anger. Children can experience anger outbursts as well. However, they may experience different symptoms of anger issues compared to adults. Here, we look at the differences between anger in children and adults, why identifying and addressing anger in children can be crucial, and how to recognize the signs of anger in a girl. If you’re a parent looking for help managing your child’s anger, connecting with a licensed therapist online or in person may be helpful. Seeking support can be vital, as unmanaged anger and unresolved anger issues can have a variety of consequences.

Understanding anger as a human emotion

It may be worth noting that anger is a normal human emotion. In general, everyone gets angry sometimes. Anger can be a way for children to recognize when a situation is unfair or when someone is treating them poorly. However, uncontrolled anger responses can present problems, and poor emotion regulation can have significant consequences for children as they enter adulthood. If a child is prone to the physical manifestation of anger, it may be especially vital for them to learn healthier ways to manage this emotion.

Can children have anger issues? 

Children can experience anger for many reasons, and these reasons may not always be obvious to their parents. For some kids, anger may be influenced by hormonal changes, the experience of growing up in a household where anger is a common occurrence, or not having their basic needs met. For others, it may stem from friendship problems, academic stress, fear, or bullying.

Mental and physical symptoms of anger in children

Symptoms of anger in children can vary depending on the cause of the anger and how they have been taught to manage it. Some kids may experience appetite changes or physical symptoms, like headaches or stomach aches, or they may seem easily frustrated or tense. 

In some cases, children may not understand that what they’re experiencing is anger, or they may feel mixed emotions. It can also be important to note that intense anger doesn’t always manifest in outward anger outbursts involving verbal aggression or breaking things. Passive-aggressive behavior can also be indicative of anger. Sometimes, anger can be turned inward and lead to negative self-talk or even health risk behaviors like misusing substances. 

How anger issues can differ between children and adults

Learning to regulate emotions tends to be a complex process, and children can develop these skills at different times. The age at which they start to learn emotional regulation skills usually depends on multiple factors, potentially including the following:

• Their temperament
• Their environment
• The family in which they grew up

Because they may not be able to manage their feelings as well as adults can, children may express their anger more outwardly. For example, even if they have outgrown tantrums, children may still yell, throw things, cry, or stomp their feet when angry. While adults may respond in these ways, too, they are more likely to be equipped to control their outward expressions of anger.

How girls may experience anger

While there is little research on this topic, and updated evidence is needed, a 2012 study revealed some potential differences in the ways gender can affect anger expression in children. Researchers found that, in middle childhood, girls usually show more positive emotions than boys, and boys tend to show more externalized emotions. (In this study, expressions of anger, contempt, and disgust were considered externalized emotions.) 

Researchers speculated that this could be because girls are expected to outwardly display more positive emotions than boys, and they are often conditioned to show more sympathy and empathy while internalizing “negative” emotions like anger, fear, or shame. On the other hand, boys are generally expected to show fewer tender or vulnerable emotions, and it is often seen as more acceptable for them to display outward anger and other negative emotions.

This study also found that, by adolescence, girls appeared to begin to show more externalized emotions, a result that surprised researchers. They speculated that this shift may result from the many changes that occur in adolescence, including hormonal changes and the increasing influence of peer groups. It’s also possible this shift occurs because girls may be more likely to express their emotions in general than boys once they reach adolescence.

Research has also found that girls and boys may express emotions differently depending on who is around them. For example, gender differences in emotional expression appear to become more pronounced in negative situations, as girls may be more likely to exhibit positive emotions in an effort to relieve social tension or to appear happy or cheerful. This potential tendency of girls to minimize negative feelings can make it challenging to identify what girls are really experiencing in these situations.

Physical symptoms of anger in girls

Physical signs of anger issues in girls can vary greatly, depending on age, development, and other contributing factors. They may experience a rapid heartbeat, faster breathing, flushing, muscle tension, and sweating when angry.

Mental and behavioral symptoms of anger in girls

Mental and behavioral symptoms of anger in girls may not be easy to identify. In childhood, if girls have learned to internalize negative emotions and externalize positive ones, they may have difficulty accepting and expressing anger, which can lead to suppression or turning anger inward. However, in adolescence, there can be a shift, and girls may begin outwardly expressing their anger. 

For parents of girls, this may be a tough situation to navigate. When young girls who internalize their anger become teenagers who externalize it, this can be a big shift for parents, especially if they did not realize that their daughters were experiencing anger in childhood. While mental and behavioral symptoms of anger in girls can be difficult to detect, some signs may include angry outbursts, irritability, aggression, depression, and low self-esteem.

What causes anger issues in children? Underlying causes and contributing factors

Many factors can contribute to anger issues in children, including genetics, environment, parenting styles, and levels of frustration. Anger issues can also accompany other mental health conditions in children.

Anger as a symptom of a mental health condition

Here are some mental health conditions that may be associated with anger issues in children: 

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Tourette syndrome
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
• Conduct disorder (CD)
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression

How angry thoughts and behaviors can affect children

Studies indicate that anger can have significant effects on school performance. For example, children who experience anger may put less effort into school and have less motivation to complete tasks. They may have difficulty problem-solving and remaining engaged in the learning process. Children with anger issues may also act aggressively toward their teachers and classmates, which can contribute to relationship problems and make school less enjoyable.

Anger issues can lead to more serious problems in the future

In some cases, if underlying mental health conditions are not identified or addressed, they can have a severe effect on the child well into adulthood. For example, untreated conduct disorder tends to be more likely to lead to personality disorders, substance misuse, violence, criminal behavior, and an increased risk of suicide.

Health effects of unmanaged anger

Unmanaged anger can be harmful to a person’s overall well-being. For instance, anger can lead to chronic stress, as well as symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety disorders and depression. Physically, anger can eventually lead to high blood pressure, muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, and a higher risk of heart attack later in life.

How anger issues may change over time

Anger issues may worsen over time if left unaddressed. Unmanaged anger and poor communication skills in childhood generally do not improve on their own without some form of intervention. A person may struggle with unresolved anger their entire life if they never learn the skills to cope with it properly. Professional support can lead to a turning point where individuals realize there are other ways to navigate this challenging emotion.

Healthy vs. unhealthy ways of expressing anger

Not everyone expresses their anger in the same way. In general, there are four ways to express anger:

• Aggressive (using harsh language, becoming violent)
• Passive-aggressive (sulking, pouting, using sarcasm)
• Suppressive (behaving in a moody or resentful way, avoiding confrontation and talking about feelings)
• Assertive (clearly expressing anger without blame, remaining respectful)

Of these four, only the assertive expression of anger is considered healthy. A person who assertively expresses their anger may listen actively to others and use relaxation techniques to remain calm while discussing their emotions.

The aggressive expression of anger may be the most overtly problematic, as it can lead to verbal abuse and physical violence in some cases. However, that doesn’t mean that passive-aggression and suppression are less harmful; they may simply be less visibly harmful. Having the self-awareness to recognize the way you express your emotions and working toward controlling anger by addressing any underlying issues can be a significant step forward.

Treatment and anger management options for children

If your child is experiencing challenges with anger, it can be hard to know what to do. If you are concerned about your child’s behavior, talk to their doctor for guidance. Treatment may include individual and/or family therapy to develop anger management and communication skills, support groups, and parental support.

Learning to control angry thoughts and behaviors in therapy

The first line of treatment for anger issues in children is often behavioral intervention, usually cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and learning about emotional regulation. CBT can help children learn new strategies to manage anger, while emotional regulation skills can help them identify situations that lead to anger and prevent outbursts.

How parents can help with anger management

Parental management techniques can help parents learn alternative ways to respond to their child’s anger in order to limit outbursts. It can be beneficial for parents to focus on positive reinforcement for positive behavior rather than punishing negative behavior to manage anger. This approach normally focuses on strengthening the family unit, with quality time together potentially serving as a motivating factor for the child.

Work with a therapist to support your mental health as a parent

If your child is struggling with anger, it can be challenging to cope. You may struggle to find ways to effectively support your child while managing your own emotions related to their anger. 

Whether you’re feeling angry, stressed, frustrated, or guilty, talking to a therapist can help you learn to manage your own emotions so that you can better support your child through their challenges. If you are uncomfortable meeting with someone in person or are having a difficult time finding an available appointment locally, online therapy can be a suitable alternative. 

When you sign up for an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can meet with a licensed mental health professional from any location with a reliable internet connection. Most people are matched with a therapist within 48 hours, and you can change providers at any time until you find one with whom you are comfortable. 

A growing body of research has determined that online therapy can effectively address a variety of mental health concerns and help parents learn to manage their emotions. For example, a 2018 review determined that online therapy led to an approximately 50% improvement in symptoms of multiple mental health disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and social anxiety disorder.