HealthInfo Canterbury
Anger in teens & young adults
Te riri ki ngā taiohi me ngā rangatahi
Anger is a strong and challenging emotion. It's common to experience anger during adolescence, but it can also feel frightening.
Anger occurs when you experience overwhelming feelings that you may express by arguing and shouting. Sometimes, anger can happen if you are feeling sad, scared or depressed. Your anger can be caused by hormones and changes occurring due to puberty, which can create mood swings and confused feelings. You may also feel angry due to frustration as you try to become more independent.
Angry feelings that are expressed by physical fighting, bullying, excessive shouting and arguing, destroying things or self-harm is a sign that your anger has become a problem.
Managing anger
Learning how to deal with anger can take some practice. Feeling angry is OK, but hurting yourself or others because you are angry isn't. The trick is to learn how to manage and express angry feelings positively, and without losing control.
Here are some ideas on how to manage a situation when you are experiencing anger.
- Try to understand what is making you angry.
- Think about potential solutions – do you get angry? Do you try to solve the problem? Or do you do nothing?
- Consider the consequences for the potential solutions. Will your solution make the situation worse or better?
- Make a decision – decide what the best option is and then act on this decision.
Here are some ways to prevent or limit yourself from feeling angry.
- Exercise is a great way to improve your mood.
- Listening to music can improve your mood.
- Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you notice your emotions and can improve how you feel.
- Mindfulness meditation is a tool that can help you manage stress, improve your focus and become more able to cope with life's ups and downs (resilient). It works best if you practice and do it regularly.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Headspace.com
This American site and app teaches you life-changing mindfulness skills in just a few minutes a day.
- Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation – Understanding anger for young people
This page from the Australian Youth Mental Health Foundation includes a video explaining what anger is, why it happens, what it feels like, and how you can manage it.
- 0800 What's Up – Anger
This New Zealand site has information about anger, and gives you the chance to chat to a counsellor, either online or on the phone.
- Smiling Mind
- Learn more about mindfulness meditation on this Australian site. It has a free app.
- Youthline – Anger
Here you'll find information on the signs of anger and ways to manage anger. You can also get in touch with counsellors, by phone, text, email, and online chat.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed January 2021.
Sources
See also:
Review key: HIANY-50772
