We often think of depression as a possible symptom for suicide, but anger can also become lethal. Excessive anger is often a sign of depression. In fact, anger is usually a mask we wear to hide how sad or disappointed we feel. Most of us are more comfortable sharing that we are mad rather than sharing that we have become depressed.  In our culture, anger is viewed as a powerful emotion and sadness a weak emotion. Angry people overcome challenges and sad people just curl up in a ball and cry. These stigmas about anger and sadness often prevent us from properly assessing when someone is at risk for suicide. 

If we are unaware of the relationship between anger and suicide, we may miss the signals that someone we love is hurting. Anger takes many forms, some anger is dangerous and directed outward. Often individuals may feel their anger is justifiable based on someone else’s actions. They were provoked! Other times excessive anger can be directed inward and turn into self-hate. Some choose to punish themselves by not eating or overeating. Others may abuse their bodies with drugs and alcohol as a form of self-destruction. Importantly, when we are under the influence, we also are more prone to angry outbursts and have poor impulse control which may make a suicide attempt more likely. Though rare, murder-suicides do occur and are an example of just how dangerous anger can be to yourself and those around you. For more on this, check out this week’s blog, “Murder-Suicide, Death by Anger.