Everyone gets angry or frustrated sometimes, and it doesn't mean that you have a mental health concern. However, depression could fuel anger, making it harder to control.
Anger alone doesn't cause depression (or vice versa). But depression can lead to emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitivity, rumination, and frustration.
Fortunately, with treatment, you can learn how to manage anger in healthy ways. This usually involves therapy, self-care, and medication (if needed).
Research shows that anger and irritability [1] are common among people with major depressive disorder (MDD). On its own, anger isn’t good or bad. It’s just like any other emotion, and there are healthy and unhealthy ways to express it.
However, depression can impact emotional regulation [2], making anger harder to control. Without support, this may make depressive symptoms worse for some people. Learning more about the relationship between anger and depression can help you better understand your emotions and know when to reach out for help.
Can depression cause anger?
Anger is a natural human emotion. Experiencing it doesn’t mean that you have a mental health concern. However, there are a few reasons why anger and depression frequently go hand in hand [3].
These include:
Temperament: People living with depression may have a heightened sensitivity to rejection or perceived losses. So, for people with depression, even small inconveniences or disappointments can lead to big emotional responses, including anger.
Guilt and shame: Depression is known to impact a person’s self-esteem. It can show up as feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness. For some people, this can trigger intense self-criticism that can feel like anger turned inward. At the same time, anger expressed outwardly — like with yelling or conflict — may lead to embarrassment or guilt, creating a vicious cycle.
Rumination: Depression is known to cause rumination [4], or repeatedly dwelling on negative thoughts. Ruminating or bottling up angry thoughts may intensify them — especially if a person isn’t able to express them in healthy ways.
Frustration: Living with depression can be challenging. Left untreated, it can make it harder to work, attend school, maintain relationships, and take care of yourself. Understandably, these challenges might make you feel angry or frustrated.
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How anger shows up with depression
Everyone’s experience of living with depression is different.
But here are a few examples of what it can look like when it’s accompanied by anger:
You struggle with patience and become frustrated easily.
You find yourself getting frequently irritated by friends, loved ones, coworkers, and strangers.
You’re easily triggered by minor inconveniences.
You tend to have a “short fuse” when you’re annoyed.
You’ve “snapped” and felt ashamed or embarrassed afterward.
You experience angry outbursts or anger attacks, sometimes without warning.
You’ve tried to get your anger under control, but you haven’t been successful.
You feel angry nearly all of the time, but it’s worse when your other depressive symptoms are most severe.
Who’s most likely to experience anger with depression
Living with depression doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll have a problem with anger. But research shows that people with severe depression [3] might be at greater risk.
You might be more likely to develop severe depression if you have [5]:
A first-degree relative who also has severe depression, like a sibling or parent
Been exposed to ongoing stress or trauma — especially during childhood
Used drugs or alcohol as a way to avoid or numb uncomfortable emotions
Co-occurring medical and mental health conditions like an anxiety disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or thyroid problems
How to manage anger and depression together
If you have depression and are having trouble controlling your anger, know that you’re not alone. Depression is treatable, and with the right support, it may get easier to control emotions like anger or hostility [3].
Depression is typically treated with:
Therapy: Many forms of talk therapy [6] can help with depression. Working with a mental health professional can help you increase your self-awareness and better understand where your anger is coming from. It can also help you explore the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These insights can help you learn healthier ways to cope with anger.
Medication: Psychiatric medications are often used with therapy to help people balance their moods and regulate their emotions. If you’re interested in exploring medication, your provider — usually a doctor or psychiatrist — can help you find the right option for your needs and goals.
Self-care: You can practice healthy coping mechanisms between therapy sessions. For instance, journaling can help you identify anger triggers and provide a healthy outlet for uncomfortable emotions. Mindfulness exercises [6] can reduce stress and help improve your mood. Eating a balanced diet, practicing good sleep hygiene, and getting regular exercise can help you maintain your well-being overall.
One early sign of change is when self-talk shifts from harsh blame to gentle understanding. Instead of ‘What’s wrong with me?’ I might hear, ‘I’m having a hard day’ or ‘I’m really worn down.’ That softer tone tells me they’re moving from self-punishment toward self-compassion.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Clinical reviewer
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Anger and depression are closely linked. That’s because depression affects your ability to emotionally regulate, which might make anger harder to control — whether it’s expressed outwardly or bottled up inside. By getting the right support for depression, you can learn to manage anger in healthy ways.
At Rula, we’re here to help you feel better. Rula makes it easy to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who takes your insurance. That way, you don’t have to choose between great care and a price you can afford.
Rula patients pay about $15 per session with insurance, and 93% say they feel better after getting care through Rula. We have 21,000+ providers, and appointments are available as soon as tomorrow. We’re here to help you take the next step — wherever you are in your mental health journey.
References
- Anger and major depressive disorder: The mediating role of emotion regulation and anger rumination https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876201812001384
- Emotion Regulation in Depression: Relation to Cognitive Inhibition https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2839199/
- Anger and depression https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/E8606D1796679107A5F3037466C1DDA8/S1355514600005812a.pdf/anger_and_depression.pdf
- Anger rumination in the context of high anger and forgiveness https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886920307224
- Major Depressive Disorder https://www.nami.org/types-of-conditions/depression/#:~:text=Trauma.,alcohol%20can%20worsen%20depressive%20symptoms.
- Depression Treatments for Adults https://www.apa.org/depression-guideline/adults
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Having faced challenges like childhood abuse, neglect, and the loss of her father to suicide, Brandy Chalmers is deeply passionate about providing compassionate care. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Brandy also teaches at a university, sharing her expertise with future mental health professionals. With over a decade of experience in settings like inpatient care and private practice, she specializes in helping clients with perfectionism, trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders, and life changes.
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Members of Rula’s clinical leadership team and other expert providers contribute to all published content, offering guidance on themes and insights based on their firsthand experience in the field. Every piece of content is thoroughly reviewed by a clinician before publishing.
