Angrophobia: The Fear of Anger

Angrophobia is an overwhelming, irrational fear of anger and/or of becoming angry. The angrophobic person may fear that their anger will hurt another person’s feelings or that their anger may intensify and turn to violence. Some people coping with this phobia will completely withdraw from socializing and may actively avoid contact with others.

Angrophobia derives from the Greek word “orgidzo”, meaning anger and “phobos” meaning fear.

What Causes Angrophobia?

As is the case with all phobias, the person compromised by Angrophobia has experienced a real-life trauma at some time in their life. That traumatic event is then automatically and consistently associated with anger and becoming angry.

Maybe the angrophobic person was the victim of physical abuse as a child. Maybe this individual’s parents showed little emotion or only displayed anger. Perhaps the person coping with Angrophobia was punished for expressing anger or for becoming angry. Maybe this individual has experienced anger escalating into violence and has dealt with the negative consequences of such a situation.

Whatever the cause, the person coping with Angrophobia can experience anxiety and emotional turmoil that is completely disruptive to their ability to function.

What Are the Symptoms of Angrophobia?

The symptoms of Angrophobia are individual and will vary from person to person. Some people, when confronted with their fear of anger and of becoming angry, may begin to perspire, feel slightly uncomfortable or become nauseated. At the opposite end of the spectrum, other people are so severely compromised by this phobia, that they may experience paralyzing anxiety and/or panic attacks.

Other symptoms of Angrophobia may include:

* A Dry Mouth

* Heart Palpitations

* Numbness

* Heightened Senses

* Breathlessness

* Feeling Dizzy

* Muscle Tension

* Hyperventilation

* Trembling

* Rapid Heartbeat

* Feeling Out of Control

* Feeling Trapped and Unable to Escape

* Intense Feeling of Impending Disaster

How Is Angrophobia Diagnosed?

The vast majority of cases of Angrophobia are self-diagnosed. The individual realizes that their fear of becoming angry and of anger is irrational and is severely compromising their ability to function on a daily basis.

The angrophobic person may discuss their phobia with the primary physician. Rarely would the doctor diagnosis Angrophobia based on that initial discussion with the patient. More routinely, after ruling out any medical reason for this phobia, the doctor will refer the person to a mental health professional for comprehensive assessment and evaluation.

How Is Angrophobia Treated?

When the fear of anger or of becoming angry is intense enough to disrupt an individual’s ability to function, there are a number of ways to treat Angrophobia.

These can include:

* A referral from the primary physician to a therapist who specializes in the treatment of phobias.

* Traditional “talk” therapy that will teach the person to recognize and control their phobia.

* Hypnotherapy.

* Exposure Therapy.

* Self-help techniques such as purposeful muscle relaxation.

* Support groups with other people who are coping with this specific phobia.

* Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Desensitization Therapy.

* Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and visualization.

* In severe cases of Angrophobia, anti-anxiety medication can be prescribed.

Angrophobia is an intense, irrational fear of becoming angry. Sometimes that fear can become so overwhelming as to completely stop a person’s ability to function on a daily basis. Unchecked, Angrophobia can become a debilitating condition that interferes with an individual’s personal life, their social life and job responsibilities. Untreated, Angrophobia can impact every aspect of a person’s life.