How to Tell If You Need Medication for Anger

Before you can determine if you need medication for anger, you must determine the extent of your anger. Excessive anger often accompanies other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. Treating these other conditions often helps reduce symptoms of an anger condition. In many cases, medication is unneccesary.

Things You'll Need

• Notebook

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Instructions

Assessment

• 1

  In a notebook, start keeping a journal of angry episodes. Write down when the anger occurred, what caused it, and how you responded.

• 2

  After a week, review the anger log. Try to find any trends or common causes for outbursts, and see if your responses were useful in rectifying the situation.

• 3

  If you notice a trend of angry outbursts that in retrospect do not appear to fit the situation, it is appropriate to consider finding treatment.

Locating Treatment

• 4

  Not all treatment for mental health issues, including anger disorders, is pharmaceutical. Initially you should seek a psychologist or other professional for therapy. They usually have a PhD or another advanced degree.

• 5

  While undergoing treatment and evaluation, seek out support groups and anger management classes for support and additional education to fight unwanted anger.

• 6

  Eliminate alcohol and other intoxicants from your routine, as these can often be causes and catalysts of anger and related violence.

• 7

  If your anger continues to be a serious problem, your therapist may refer to you a psychiatrist or other medical doctor to be evaluated for possible pharmaceutical treatment. Only a licensed medical doctor can advise you to take a prescription or prescribe a controlled substance.

• 8

  If given pharmaceutical therapy, do not neglect other avenues of treatment, as mental health is best treated from a variety of areas.