What's the Connection Between Depression and Anger?

Depression doesn’t always look like sadness. Sometimes it looks like a short fuse or feeling annoyed and on edge most of the time. Because that doesn’t fit the stereotype of depression looking like sadness or withdrawal, it often gets attributed to stress or a separate “anger problem.”

Keep reading to learn how anger fits into depression, who tends to experience it this way, and how treatment can help.

Can depression cause anger?

Yes, anger and irritability are common in depression. The anger may show up as a short temper or sudden flashes of anger that feel oversized compared to the trigger or situation. 

In a study published in 2009, 46% of participants with major depression said they’d felt irritable at least half the time over the past week. In that study, researchers noted a correlation between irritability and more severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Research from the 1990s found that about a third of study participants who were outpatients with depression had “anger attacks,” or sudden bursts of anger with physical symptoms. Newer research has found the same link between higher anger, anger attacks, and depression. 

If you notice ongoing anger alongside low mood or trouble getting through your day, discuss your symptoms with a doctor.

What does depression-related anger look like?

Anger as a symptom of depression can range from low-grade irritability to sudden “anger attacks.” The anger may be directed outward towards others or inward towards yourself.

What does outward anger look like?

In some people, it may be described as a constant short fuse, where small frustrations set off irritation that feels out of proportion for the situation. Others may have anger attacks. Anger attacks can include symptoms like: 

• racing heart
• sweating
• chest tightness 

What does inward anger look like?

Anger can also turn inward. Inward-directed anger can show up as harsh self-criticism or self-blame. Inward anger can happen at the same time as outward irritability.

Why does depression show up as anger for some people?

There’s no single cause for depression showing up as anger. It’s likely due to a mix of biology and emotion regulation.

Researchers have found evidence for a potential link between serotonin and anger. Serotonin is a brain chemical that plays a role in both mood and impulse control. Some antidepressants raise serotonin levels. These antidepressants can help reduce anger attacks in people with depression, but researchers aren’t sure yet why they help with anger.  

Other common symptoms of depression, such as stress, poor sleep, and exhaustion, can also lower your threshold for anger.

Who is most likely to experience anger with depression?

Anger with depression is more commonly diagnosed in men and teens, but it can occur in anyone.

Men and depression

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), men with depression may seem angry or irritable instead of appearing sad.

Anger may be missed as a sign of depression by family, friends, and even doctors. This may be part of why men often go underdiagnosed.

Teens and children

In children and teens, the DSM-5 includes irritable mood as a diagnostic criteria for depression, even if the child or teen’s symptoms don’t also include depressed mood. For example, a teen who’s constantly irritable may be showing depression instead of ordinary moodiness.

If your child or teen displays an irritable mood along with changes in sleep, appetite, or energy, it’s worth discussing with their doctor.

New parents (postpartum)

Perinatal depression can happen during pregnancy or within the first year after childbirth. Symptoms of perinatal depression can include: 

• crying
• sadness
• irritability
• frustration
• restlessness
• short temper

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When should you talk to a professional?

Reach out to a mental health professional if anger and low mood last more than two weeks, or get in the way of work, relationships, or daily life.

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to benefit from an evaluation. Talking to a psychiatrist can help you figure out what to do next.  

If you’re in crisis, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.

Is it depression or something else?

If you’re experiencing ongoing feelings of anger in addition to low mood, it’s worth getting a professional evaluation. An evaluation can also be used to diagnose conditions like bipolar disorder or, in children, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD).

Bipolar disorder and anger

In a preliminary study, researchers found that anger attacks were more common in bipolar disorder (62%) than standard (26%) depression. But, irritability on its own doesn’t indicate bipolar disorder. 

Another large study found that irritability didn’t reliably distinguish between bipolar and standard depression once researchers accounted for other factors.

DMDD and anger

DMDD is a diagnosis specific to children and teens (ages 6 to 18). Symptoms include chronic irritability and severe temper outbursts. 

Adults can’t be diagnosed with DMDD.

A professional evaluation is needed to determine whether anger is being caused by depression or another condition. 

How is depression-related anger treated?

Depression-related anger usually improves with the same evidence-based treatments used for depression: talk therapy (like cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT) and antidepressant medication.

Therapy

For mild to moderate depression, therapy is often the starting point. CBT can help you spot the patterns behind both low mood and irritability. 

Medication

If symptoms are more severe, antidepressant medication may be added.

SSRIs are first-line antidepressants. In studies from the 1990s, anger attacks went away in 53% to 71% of outpatients with depression when taking fluoxetine. 

In a 2019 review, sertraline helped lift mood and reduce irritability for some people, though results varied. 

Antidepressants take time to work, usually several weeks. If you’re prescribed an antidepressant, it’s important to check in with your psychiatrist to review your symptoms. They can then adjust treatment as needed along the way.

The bottom line

Anger can be a real, treatable part of depression. It doesn’t always match the sadness stereotype, which is a reason it gets missed as a symptom. 

Naming anger as a possible symptom is the first step toward understanding what you're experiencing.

If anger and low mood are disrupting your life, a professional evaluation, and, if needed, treatment for depression, can help.

Getting started with Talkiatry

Talkiatry is a national psychiatry practice that makes it easier to get care from doctors who listen. Start by answering a few questions online, then get matched with a psychiatrist based on your needs. From there, you can usually schedule a visit within days and meet with your provider from home. First visits are 60 minutes, so there's time to talk through what's going on and build a treatment plan together. Talkiatry is in-network with most major insurers, and you can check your coverage during the free online assessment.

Take our free online assessment

Frequently asked questions

Is anger a symptom of depression?

Anger and irritability can occur as symptoms of depression. People usually associate depression with sadness, but you may also feel persistent irritability or have sudden outbursts of anger. Irritability isn’t formally recognized as a symptom of major depression in adults, but it’s common in major depression and may signal more severe symptoms.

Can medication help with depression and anger?

Antidepressants can help with depression-related anger. In studies on fluoxetine use in outpatients with depression, anger attacks were resolved in 53% to 71% participants. Anger in depression often responds to standard depression treatment.

Does depression look different in men?

Depression can look different in men. According to NIMH, men with depression may seem angry or irritable instead of showing symptoms of sadness. That can lead to underdiagnosis, since irritability isn’t always recognized as part of depression.

What are the symptoms of depression?

The DSM-5 lists nine symptoms: depressed mood, loss of interest, appetite or weight changes, sleep problems, physical agitation or slowing, fatigue, worthlessness or guilt, trouble concentrating, and thoughts of death. A diagnosis requires five or more symptoms, lasting for at least two weeks.

If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or others, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.

Is angry depression a sign of bipolar disorder?

Irritability on its own doesn’t indicate bipolar disorder. One large study found that irritability didn’t reliably tell bipolar and standard depression apart once other factors were accounted for.

Medical disclaimer and sources

The information in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and should never be substituted for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.

Sources

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