Is Depression Anger Turned Inward? Depression and Its Link To Anger

Depression, a kind of mood disorder, is characterised by persistent feelings of unhappiness, worthlessness, hopelessness, pessimism, and remorse. Approximately 300 million people suffer from this mental health condition worldwide. It can arise suddenly on its own or can come about after facing a heartbreaking loss or defeat.

The mental condition called depression has been a subject of intensive research by both psychologists and medical professionals. Sigmund Freud, the noted psychoanalyst of the 20th century, presented a view that depression is anger turned inward.

People who suffer from depression always feel a lack of energy to do daily tasks. Freud says that it is because depression turn anger inwards. These people’s lack of energy is because they have shifted all of their anger and rage into themselves.

What Is the Link between Anger and Depression

Man feeling depression, Credit: Pixabay

The emotion of anger is associated with several mental disorders, of which depression is one. Anger contributes to a majority of depression’s symptoms. A study from the UK from 2013 concluded that in depression anger turns within. It further worsens this condition in its patients.

Instead of releasing their anger outside through various means and getting rid of it, those suffering from depression direct it inside themselves. Anger occurs in people with depression because of their extreme sensitiveness to their loss. They do not resort to healthy means to take it out. Their angry reactions give them feelings of fear and guilt of disrupting their existing relationships. It further makes them annoyed with themselves. It can be seen in feelings of low self-esteem, low self-worth. Thus, in a way, we can say that depression is anger turned inside out.

Is Depression Just Anger Turned Inwards?

Man feeling depressed, Credit: Pixabay

It is often seen that people who have depression complain that they feel a voice inside them that forces them to believe that they are worthless, trivial, and whatever they do is fruitless. They need to recognize that whatever they are feeling is because of the anger they have diverted inside themselves, and that is what is making them think in this way.

Indeed, depression is anger turned inwards. Psychologists have repeatedly recounted how various patients they have dealt with told about their struggle of directing their anger towards themselves. They become more critical of themselves and start treating themselves in evil ways.

Psychologists always advise patients of depression to release their anger, instead of keeping it hoarded inside. In response, they always hear from their patients how hard it is for them to change this process of self-directed anger and break this vicious cycle.

How the Feeling of Shame Triggers Anger?

Feeling shameful, Credit: Pixabay

Shame is also linked prominently to depression and the anger that one repeatedly feels in it. Many psychologists have said that shame occurs in the absence of positive emotions. People often hide it and keep it within themselves, consequently feeling inadequate.

When the shame accumulates over time, it leads to anger with oneself and a chronic depressive episode. Shame causes more distress and regrets that prompt negative emotions to gather and take hold within the patient.

Thus, we see that anger plays a significant role in exacerbating the condition of people with depression. It is the one factor that contributes to the severity of it. There is a need for people to acknowledge and talk about what makes them angry and irritated with themselves and find out how they can manage the situation in a better manner.