Everyday occurrences can cause irritation and annoyance in a teen. Maybe they were left out of plans with their close friends. Perhaps they were grounded for the weekend because of a poor exam grade. It’s natural for them to feel angry now and then. However, being angry isn’t the same as having anger issues.

Anger is a common negative emotion that a person feels when something doesn’t go their way. However, anger issues refer to having intense or recurring feelings of anger. While anger is a normal emotion, anger issues involve frequent, intense and often uncontrollable anger that significantly impacts daily functioning and relationships. While it’s natural to feel anger occasionally, a teen with anger issues may require mental health care support to address and alleviate their intense emotions.

Read on to learn about why a teen may develop anger issues, as well as how Lightfully Teen can help.

Possible explanations for anger issues in teens

If a teen is easily angered, or anger seems to be their most prevalent emotion, it’s important to consider the root causes behind it. There are many potential causes of anger issues in teens. Some are due to the circumstances of their life and expected adolescent struggles. Others are deeper mental health conditions that require support and treatment.

Anger issues are often characterized by symptoms including heightened irritability, outbursts, and recurring conflicts or arguments with others.

Here are potential root causes of anger issues in a teenager:

• Life changes — When a teen is having trouble adjusting to a new situation in their life, they can also have trouble regulating their emotions. If they are experiencing major life changes, such as a parental divorce or moving to a new place, it can lead to anger issues. This is often due to feeling like the new change is unfair to them. The anger may also stem from the intense stress of adjusting to the different circumstances or feeling a lack of control.
• Struggles with others — If a teen is having recurring anger, it could be due to conflicts with others that aren’t being addressed or alleviated. If they feel like people are “against” them, or like they aren’t able to connect with others, the frustration can manifest as anger. Teens who are trying to deal with bullies at school, friendship fallouts or family conflicts may respond with anger. They may be experiencing fear, low self-esteem and powerlessness, which can trigger recurring anger.
• Identity struggles — Teens are trying to figure out who they are and what they want out of life. They’re trying to establish their sense of self, which can be extremely difficult. They may be struggling with low self-esteem, comparing themselves to others and hyperfocusing on physical flaws, causing negative emotions like anger. Identity struggles can make them feel unhappy, which can lead to anger if they are trying to deliberately change their identity, possibly in a negative or rebellious way.
• Bipolar disorder — Anger and heightened irritability are present in both manic and depressive bipolar disorder episodes in teens. This mood disorder is characterized in part by intense emotions during manic episodes for at least seven days, including irritability. They can have bipolar rage, which involves explosive and unpredictable negative emotions. It’s also possible for teens to experience anger during depressive bipolar episodes, which can last more than two weeks.

• Depression — While major depressive disorder is usually associated with overwhelming sadness and malaise, heightened anger can also be a symptom of the depression. It can cause them to be easily irritated or have an anger response that doesn’t match the severity of the situation. Teens with depression also tend to be sensitive to criticism. If they feel like someone is saying something negative about them, they may lash out.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — If a teen has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event or circumstance, they may develop PTSD. They can have symptoms including flashbacks, sadness and anxiety. Anger is also a prevalent symptom in teens with PTSD, especially if the trauma was violent. It can be used as a defense mechanism and a way to make the teen feel like they can handle any danger that may come their way.

Lightfully Teen can help your teen address the root causes of their anger issues

If your teen is having a difficult time regulating their feelings, for any reason, it’s important that their emotional patterns are addressed by mental health care providers. If left untreated, anger issues can escalate, leading to threats or violence toward themselves or others.

Talk to your teen’s doctor about their recent emotions and behavior to determine a possible mental health condition diagnosis, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. Then you can collaborate to figure out the best treatment options to address the root causes of their anger issues, such as therapy.

If your teen needs more intensive support beyond regular outpatient therapy sessions for their anger issues, our three Lightfully Teen levels of care may help: Residential Treatment, Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step to help your teen with their anger issues, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of them.