There are different ways to control anger issues. But they warrant a lot of patience and perseverance from either side. In this article, we explain the various reasons why your spouse might always be angry and how to deal with them. Continue reading to know more.
1. High Level Of Stress
Stress can make your body and systems go out of whack. If your spouse is under stress for professional or personal reasons and is not sleeping and eating properly, it can affect their mental and physical health. All these reasons often cloud the minds, influence perceptions, and increase irritability. Another way of thinking about it is that stress decreases bandwidth. When our bandwidth is running low, we all get easily irritated and frustrated. If your spouse struggles to manage their stress levels, consider seeking help from a licensed health professional for guidance. Also, be empathetic to your partner and help them resolve the issues they are facing. Acknowledge and validate their stress.
2. Loss Of Identity
Is your spouse always trying to live up to your expectations or trying to keep up with the image you have of them(or themself)? Often, such unrealistic expectations create pressure on your partner, creating a loss of identity. They may think that failure to live up to such unrealistic expectations may make them unworthy, and they may have an identity crisis. This may create unnecessary pressure and make them irritable and angry. Angry and resentful people often find themselves lost in an unfair world. They feel attacked when someone points out how they are unfair or feel like people are unfair to them more often. . Driven by the constant conflict between what they should get and what other people should do for them, they are often left feeling disappointed and frustrated.
3. Unaddressed Past Issues
Carrying unaddressed issues in your heart is a heavy burden to bear. A person can develop an aggressive attitude because of such unaddressed issues. Abusive or traumatic incidents often scar the thoughts and mind, which significantly impact the behavior. As a result, they often resort to aggression as a way of defending themselves. Your spouse may feel anguished when you try to discuss those past issues. Don’t let your spouse feel depressed, anxious or withdrawn. Seek help from a therapist or a psychologist to address the challenges.
4. Hormonal Issues
Sometimes, hormonal changes can trigger mood changes and cause emotional outbursts. Women often experience mood shifts due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which also causes fatigue, change in appetite, and depression. Even menopause is associated with mood shifts, insomnia, or reduced sex drive. Similarly, Irritable Male Syndrome (IMS), clinically referred to as andropause, decreases testosterone levels in men, causing depression, lower self-confidence, and reduced energy. All these factors can lead to irritation. In such cases, be honest with your partner and let them know what you are dealing with. Be empathic towards your partner’s experience and symptoms.
5. Inability To Cope With Failures
There is no success without failures. While some see failure as a stepping stone to success, some may find it difficult to accept defeat. Issues like loss of job, rejection, and missed opportunities at work (like a promotion) can leave your spouse depressed. Failure is often accompanied by various emotions like embarrassment, anxiety, anger, sadness, and shame. These negative emotions can aggravate your spouse’s anger issues and disrupt your marital life. These can be some of the probable reasons for your spouse’s anger issues. Living with an angry spouse, especially when you are subject to constant anger or negativity, can make you feel hopeless. Though you may feel lonely at times, there is scope for overcoming these issues plaguing your relationship. With proper intervention and help, your spouse can learn how to manage anger and be optimistic. Here are a few ways to deal with an angry spouse.
How To Deal With An Angry Partner
1. Keep Calm And Do Not Fuel The Fire
A simple solution to deal with an angry partner is to keep calm when your partner is enraged. Though it may not be as easy as it sounds, the more relaxed you remain when your partner is angry and lashing out at you, the quicker they will stop their outburst. Getting angry in response to your partner’s anger can escalate the issue, leaving both of you hurt. Instead, once your partner calms down, listen to them and understand their point of view. You don’t have to agree with it, but feeling understood and heard can help them deal with their emotions. Do not assume anything or judge them and be compassionate.
2. Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries and sticking to them is essential when you are dealing with an angry spouse. Have a constructive conversation and explain how their behavior hurt you. This will make them realize that they should not behave with you in a certain way, setting a boundary in their mind. Such boundaries help maintain a healthy environment for discussion and settling issues. It is okay to be angry, but it isn’t okay to take that anger out on others. This is also key to navigating your spouse’s anger, listening to them, and acting before it gets out of control. Sometimes, hosing down the fire with empathy alleviates a lot of painful interactions. If anger gets too fierce, knowing how to set boundaries and how to contain it is imperative.
3. Do Not Tolerate Disrespect
Your partner might be dealing with severe anger issues that may go beyond control. However, if they are constantly abusing you, not prioritizing your opinion, lying to you, ignoring your boundaries, or hurting your feelings on purpose, these are signs of disrespectful behavior. If this happens, take a stand for yourself. Be honest and open about how their behavior is making you feel disrespected. While discussing, keep an open mind, acknowledge their issues while voicing your concern. This will help them to get a grasp on the problem and the solution, both at once.
4. Apologize If Needed
If you escalate the conflict, a simple “I am sorry” can resolve your issue. A sincere and heartfelt apology can melt a raging heart in no time. Apologizing is all about acknowledging that you hurt their feelings. It is all about taking responsibility for your actions. This will reduce the tension and help your partner realize their faults too. Even if you don’t believe you did anything wrong, you can apologize for the unintended outcome of hurting them.
5. Avoid Fighting Over Trivial Issues
Individuals often have different beliefs, opinions, preferences, and expectations. Pick your battles; Fighting over every trivial issue may weaken your relationship. It is wise to adjust and compromise on a few small things. However, it is better to discuss with your partner if the issues are non-negotiable. Do not postpone a discussion citing the matter as “small stuff” as this can lead to bigger issues.
6. Analyze The Issue
Sometimes, you are aware of what is going on with your spouse, and sometimes you aren’t. If it is the latter, understand what is troubling your partner. If it is possible, talk to your partner and allow them to discuss the issue and analyze it. This will help both of you find the root cause and resolve the conflict fast.
7. Do Not Try To Change Your Partner
Let your partner be the person they are. If you try to change them, they may end up losing their identity and feel burdened to live up to your expectations. Instead, create a positive environment. Show them the brighter side and benefits of your relationship. Remind them why both of you fell for each other. Treat your partner with respect, sweetness, and bring them closer to you. Having a positive influence on your partner will transform the relationship for good.
8. Practice Patience And Compassion
Feel empathetic and compassionate towards your partner. Be patient and understand what they are going through. If you see them getting irritated or angered, wait — do not react. Patience and compassion are the foundations of positive energy, which can help you deal with your angry partner.
9. Reach Out To A Counselor
If nothing is helping douse the anger issues, reach out to a counselor or a therapist. They can help you understand and assist your partner in dealing with their anger issue. Counseling facilitates healthy communication, helps develop strong relationship skills, and improves family happiness.
10. Communicate Constructively
Communication is the key to maintaining a healthy relationship. All relationships have their highs and lows, but healthy and constructive communication can facilitate better conflict resolution and maintain harmony. A heart-to-heart conversation with your partner will help you understand what they are going through. They will also feel relieved after taking off the burden from their heart. This will douse anger and irritation and help you work as a team to resolve the issues. How can anger destroy a marriage? Excess or an inappropriate expression of anger can destroy a marriage. It can hurt the feelings of others, damage self-esteem, and also damage trust and feelings of safety (which is needed for a successful relationship). Can an angry husband change? Yes. Human beings are likely to change for the better. However, this depends on the basic nature of your husband. Also, there are some effective ways/strategies to deal with an angry partner. Picking your battles carefully, thinking long-term, understanding the triggers, being assertive, and practicing compassion and patience may help you deal with the situation. What does the Bible say about dealing with an angry spouse? “Love your wives and don’t be bitter toward them” (Colossians 3:19).
