You might recognize yourself in some of these:
- You snap over something small, then regret what you said afterward
- A normal question feels like criticism and your reaction gets bigger fast
- Arguments end with yelling, slamming doors, leaving, or shutting down
- People close to you have started saying they are walking on eggshells
You might not call it rage. If you keep wondering why little things set you off read, Why Do You Snap Over the Small Stuff? You might just know your reaction is bigger than the situation and harder to stop once it starts.
Anger is not always the whole problem. It can be the first thing you feel when something underneath it is harder to recognize, like pressure, shame, feeling dismissed, powerless, criticized, or overwhelmed.
The goal is not to get rid of the anger. It is to understand what sets it off, catch it earlier, and have more control over what happens next.
Sometimes the anger is connected to more than what just happened. Past experiences, ongoing stress, or trauma can make certain situations hit much harder that they seem like they should. If you want to learn more about this read the page about Trauma counselling.