I keep breaking things when I'm upset?

Question

First let me say I would never hurt myself, or another human being. I have been diagnosed for depression and anxiety disorder. I was mentally abused, and my dad pucnched me and threw me down on the ground untill my brother and mom pulled him off when I was 16 becasue I said "pissed off". I have been going to therapy since then I'm now 18, and going to a psychiatrist. Whenever I get extremely upset I break things. In the past two years I have broken 2 nice watches, punched a hole in my wall, cut my matress up to pieces with a box knife, smashed my $250 keyboard (I got a new one), torn the blinds off my window and shredded them up with a box knife, caught one of my guitars on fire and ripped the strings off which cut my hands up, and broken 7 cell phones by throwning them at walls, smashing them with a hammer etc. I don't know why I'm doing this and its starting to scare me. I havent told my psychiatrist about it. Is this related to the issuses I have or something else?

Yes it was all my stuff, and I'm already seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist

Answer 1

You need to tell your psychiatrist. That kind of destructiveness is an anger management issue (whether or not you hurt anyone) and it CAN be treated. It's very likely that it's related to your previous traumas as that is generally where anger management issues stem from.

I know people who have struggled with anger management and have improved greatly with professional help so please do tell your psychiatrist about what you're going through.

EDIT: When I say it can be treated, I'm not talking about with medication. If your psychiatrist is a good one, s/he will try cognitive behavioral therapy before prescribing anything or along with a prescription. Medication alone is not going to help. That would be like treating someone with a broken leg by just giving them medication and not healing the actual wound.

Good luck and stay strong.

Answer 2

I used to break stuff all the time. Once I destroyed an entire house. As I got older I mellowed out more and don't do that. Basically you feel you have power over the things you break. They cannot defend themselves. They are powerless to stop you. They are defenseless, no matter how expensive, useful, or pretty, they are weak. Try taking up competetive boxing. Only choose opponents that you feel stand a fighting chance against you but that you can beat. That way your anger is directed at a more challenging situation. The person you are fighting won't just sit there and break and not fight back. You are equals in combat.

Answer 3

I do the same thing! You aren't abnormal. It's like when I'm angry, I just don't care or see the consequences of what I'm doing.

This is classic bipolar. The good news is that since I've been diagnosed and take my meds, it's been completely under control. No more smashed plates or broken mirrows! Yeah!

You need to be honest with your caregiver and ask for help. you don't have to go through life like this.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Man, I do that **** all the time. The thing I realized was that when I get mad I go to do these things (I through a lead crystal candle holder through my $600 T.V. once) I have thought about it before I do it. That means I am making a conscious decision. So if I am deciding to do that, why not control myself, and not do that at all. It is difficult, just this weekend I remember thinking about punching the window out of my car.... but why? It will not make me better, I will have to pay for it and it will cost me a days wage or more. It is hard to break the habit but you need to start now. Expect to fly off the handle and break more things during the process. Just try and get a hold of yourself during those split seconds where you make the decision. It is a very small window but getting to it is key. The first time you will feel better, the second time even more, the third time you may say **** it and throw your computer in the garbage. Start again. Make it 5 time. Soon, like for me, that window will get larger, and you will have 30 - 40 seconds to make that decision. And you will continuously make the right one.

Answer 5

I think this is linked to your past. Like my boyfriend, he does the same thing and I always get mad because he doesn't have any right to break the stuff he breaks. He has issues with his past, too. When are you guys going to learn that you can't just go around breaking stuff??? It's hurtful, harmful, and it's very expensive!!! Learn to cope with your anger!!! Get over it already, I'm sick of having to fix everything and so will the people in your life when you start breaking their stuff, and you will, just wait and see.

Answer 6

I got that way on Celexa. I destroyed my wife's car with an AK47, Monster Maul and a chainsaw. Then I burned everything that she owned including a lock of her dead momma's hair. I shot my house full of bullet holes, tore doors off there hinges, kicked completely through walls and a whole lot more. Since I got off the anti psychotic and antidepressant drugs life is back to normal.

Answer 7

I think it's a good idea to mention this to both your therapist and your psychiatrist. I'm sorry that you've had such a difficult life and I wish the best for your future.

Answer 8

Your problem is a little weird to listen to . But let me tell you one thing , even I had that same problem a few years ago and now I have overcome with a method.
When you get angry or frustrated , close your eyes and sit idle for 5 minutes then slowly open your eyes and count 100 backwards using your fingers. Just try this out everyday and try to write down all the things you feel when you are angry on your secret diary and be cool and calm . Try this out and I think you can be alright .

Answer 9

Yes, it is related to your issues. Luckily you are externalizing your anger/ anxiety/depression on to inanimate object, and not yourself or others.

I have been the same way. I didn't want to hurt myself, and wouldn't dare do it to someone else, so I would break something.

First step is tell your psychiatrist

Answer 10

well, tell your psychiatrist for god's sake! maybe they can get you a prescription to make you stop!