Anger is often a normal response to the intense threat associated with trauma. Anger puts your body into a “survival” mode and activates your energy to protect yourself or others. However, for some, the experience of a shocking, threatening, or dangerous event can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is a shock to the body’s system of regulation that leads to fear during and following the traumatic event. The body’s “fight, flight or freeze” response, which helps us avoid or respond to potential anger, may lead to heightened arousal that becomes the normal state, leading to emotional and physical feelings of anger that are more intense. As such, you may feel stressed or frightened even when no real danger exists. Some people recover from the initial symptoms over time, while others continue to experience symptoms of arousal contributing to the diagnosis of PTSD.

PTSD may be experienced by combat veterans and those who have experienced or witnessed a physical or sexual assault, abuse, an accident, a disaster, or other similar events. PTSD may arise at any age.

A diagnosis of PTSD requires that an individual experience certain symptoms including arousal and reactivity for at least one month. This entails being quick to startle, feeling tense, on guard or on edge, feeling irritable, and having angry or aggressive outbursts.

Both forms of trauma may yield anger, but years of research indicate that anger is especially associated with PTSD. Yet, this same research finds that anger may not always lead to aggression. Numerous studies have been made to clarify factors that contribute to anger for those with PTSD.

One study of 742 participants, some in the service and others who were ex-serving members, found that the majority had significant anger problems at intake for a treatment program for PTSD (Cowlishaw, Metcalf, Little, et. al., 2021).

A meta-analysis covering 39 studies found that anger and hostility were highly associated with PTSD (Orth & Wieland, 2006). This study also found that those who had experienced combat were more highly prone to anger and hostility. The researchers discussed the possibility that those selected for combat may have had more trait anger, assertiveness, and aggression prior to their service.

Another meta-analysis focused on determining the extent to which anger is specific to PTSD rather than anxiety disorders in general (Olatunji, Giesielski & Tolin, 2010). It found that those with anxiety disorders had significantly greater difficulties with anger. However, it also found that, even when compared to this group, those with PTSD had significantly greater difficulties with anger. Additionally, difficulty with anger control, directed inward or outward, also differentiated those with PTSD from........

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