I have a history of depression, and I've sometimes found myself having intense rages in which I think very irrational thoughts I normally wouldn't think. I hate it when this happens, because I feel like I'm a completely different person and that I'm losing my grip on reality. A psychiatrist once told me that the rages sounded like they were symptomatic of depression. Am I alone here? Does anyone have any insight?
2006-09-25 05:11:23 · 9 answers · asked by tangerine 7 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Rage is NOT usually a symptom of clinical depression. It is however a common symptom of bipolar depression disorder. If you are not being treated for this disorder, I strongly urge you to see a psychiatrist and get started in treatment....the mood swings to rage are on the manic side of bipolar disorder and can only get worse without treatment.
2006-09-25 05:15:32 · answer #1 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You've asked a really interesting question. Though I'm no expert, I hope that some of these ideas will be helpful to you.
I think that the cumulative effects of stress, fatigue, emptiness, helplessnes, and effortfulness involved in even the most basic tasks seen in depression could easily increase someone's level of irritability. One might be more easily angered and have a shorter fuse than when in a more balanced mood. The irrational thoughts - and you recognize them as such - are certainly a symptom in common with depression and could fuel some of the anger that you feel. A hallmark of depression is aslo "cognitive errors," problems in perception and interpretation that make it difficult to view even the most neutral event in a balanced way. Your particular "filter" might lead you to interpret events and the people involved more negatively.
As you may have experienced, with depression can come feelings of being misunderstood and the perception that one lacks control over circumstances in life. These feelings, accompanied by difficulties generating and using effective problem-solving strategies can fuel anger and frustration all the more. You might also have an atypical form of depression for which intense anger and thoughts are a feature. The feelings of loss of touch with reality/fogginess also fit, but if they are dominant, if you find the angry feelings intrusive, and if you ever felt compelled to or actually acted on your thoughts when enraged, there might be more going on.
Because this is distressing to you and interfering with your functioning, returning to see a psychiatrist is definitely an option open to you if you are not seeing one currently. You'll probably want to discuss strategies for coping, rule out effects of any medications on your functioning, and explore the possible meanings behind the behavioural/thought changes that you are experiencing, among other things. Keep a journal in the meantime, if you'd like, to help you track some of the moods that you go through and how you are feeling 'til you're able to see someone.
Hope that you're able to get the answers you're looking for as well as some relief.
2006-09-25 12:36:27 · answer #2 · answered by semper 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I tent to have similar fits of rage as well, though I am not sure if its a defined characteristic of depression. I have been diagnosed with a general anxiety disorder, as well as adhd, and a personality disorder. Im not sure which one the fits of rage fall under, but none the less I am extremely aware of the feelings you have described. Though in my case this feeling was preceeded by and inexscapable sense of powerlessness and weakness. The rage that then results from this is then limitless untill I am completely exhausted and am too tired to think anymore.
2006-09-25 14:35:53 · answer #3 · answered by Robert s 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It only occurs when I get depressed (which isn't really all that often thank goodness... but often enough). I will start busting out crying, pulling my hair, uncontrollably shaking my head from side to side, thinking about killing myself (which I would never do) and sometimes taking it out on my husband physically (I don't know why he has put up with it, god bless him). Thankfully for me it only happens about twice a year... but when it happens, its like I become another person and I hate it and I just can't control it. Maybe its bi polar... maybe not... I have no idea, but your not alone.
2006-09-25 14:09:37 · answer #4 · answered by Ashley P 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know, rage comes on the extreme scale of getting angry, and it takes a primitive way of expression (kicking, spitting, clawing...etc), hence the term 'limbic rage'. When a person is in 'rage' he is inaccessible and can not be calmed down till the rage episode is over on it's own:(
However, what you might experience is extreme anger +/- frustration. Sure it's irrational, especially around PMS time.
2006-09-25 12:36:26 · answer #5 · answered by HopeH 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes i do but i black out and dont remember any of it someone else who was there has to tell me what i did all i feel is anger but i was diagnosed as bipolar because of this reason it is not common with depression but yes i do understand what you are going thru i hate when it happens to but i deal with i tried to kill myself because of it and then went off on my family and ended up in jail and i dont remember any of it so i have experienced it first hand and it sucks cause naturally i dont want to fie and i am a very tenderhearted person but been there done it now i just try to keep myself calm and yes they do scare me cause i know i could really hurt soemone including myself if i were you i would talk to someone and try to find ways to control it i did that and it worked somewhat have a nice day
2006-09-25 16:07:07 · answer #6 · answered by silverrose252000 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no but my gf did when she'd have the intense rages id just slap her in the head with a iron skillet after it happened couple times she quit having them she pretty much just sits around now in a comotose state most of the day
2006-09-25 12:19:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes. My parents used to call them tantrums. I've been diagnosed as bi-polar. You are not alone!
2006-09-25 12:13:21 · answer #8 · answered by Suspended 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the RN who responded is on the MONEY!
2006-09-25 12:24:12 · answer #9 · answered by Notorious 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋