Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesManagementWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Management
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Diagnosis
Treatment
It differs from anger, which is a natural response to something unpleasant or someone you feel has wronged you. When anger is taken out on people, animals, or objects, it may be considered aggression.
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Examples of Aggression
There are different forms of aggression, and within each form, there are various ways a person can express aggression. Here are some examples:
Types of Aggression
Aggression can be a reaction to something or can be planned. It is categorized as proactive or reactive:
Many factors can contribute to aggressive behavior, including genetics, environment, mental health disorders, or social factors.
Aggression and Mental Illness
The relationship between mental illness and aggression is complex. Elements of aggression may be associated with certain untreated mental illnesses, including:
Somepersonality disordersare associated with higher levels of aggression, including:
Genetic Factors
Sometimes, genetic factors can predispose people to aggression. Certain genes have also been linked to a predisposition toward aggression.
Some people are born with a tendency to perceive situations as hostile and to respond frequently with aggression, known as “trait anger.”
Research also shows that people with aggression have less impulse and emotional control from a young age.
Other Factors
Additional factors that contribute to aggression include:
The Weapons EffectThe “weapons effect” is a phenomenon that suggests the mere sight of a weapon can lead to aggressive thoughts and behaviors.
The Weapons Effect
The “weapons effect” is a phenomenon that suggests the mere sight of a weapon can lead to aggressive thoughts and behaviors.
Managing Aggression
There are various approaches to managing aggressive behaviors independent of an underlying condition. Here are some ways tocontrol aggression:
Helping Others
It can be challenging to be around someone who becomes angry or aggressive. Though you can never take away someone’s anger, you may be able to take action to prevent the situation from worsening. Here are some tips:
Feeling angry is a completely normal emotion that everyone experiences. But if you or someone you love finds this leading to aggression, it’s important to find ways to control it, so nobody gets hurt.
See a healthcare provider or a mental health professional to look for the underlying cause or condition and get treatment.
In addition to performing a physical examination, and taking a medical history (including noting any medications), a healthcare provider can also take a history of aggressive events and note your coping skills.
They may perform aneurological examinationto look for underlying conditions. They may refer you to a mental health professional for a psychological assessment.
A mental health professional will conduct a psychological interview and assessment. They will apply specific criteria for the diagnosis of mental health conditions, found in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
Treatment for aggressive behavior depends on its cause. Your provider may recommend medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
It is essential to consult a mental health or medical professional to receive an accurate diagnosis whenmental health disordersymptoms accompany aggression.
Summary
Aggression can be proactive or reactive and may present as physical or psychological behavior intended to harm another person. Genetics, environment, mental health disorders, and social factors impact aggressive behavior.
There are strategies to control anger so it doesn’t turn into aggression. For some, however, seeking help from a mental health professional is the best approach and allows for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.APA dictionary of psychology: aggression.Dewi, IDADP & Kyranides, MN.Physical, verbal, and relational aggression: the role of anger management strategies.Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma. 2022;31:1,65-82, doi:10.1080/10926771.2021.1994495Warburton WA, Anderson CA.Aggression, social psychology of.International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition. 1(295–299). Elsevier; 2015.Rosell DR, Siever LJ.The neurobiology of aggression and violence.CNS Spectrums. 2015;20(3):254-279. doi:10.1017/S109285291500019XVeenstra L, Bushman BJ, Koole SL.The facts on the furious: a brief review of the psychology of trait anger.Curr Opin Psychol. 2018;19:98-103. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.03.014HelpGuide.org.Anger management.Mind.Anger.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.APA dictionary of psychology: aggression.Dewi, IDADP & Kyranides, MN.Physical, verbal, and relational aggression: the role of anger management strategies.Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma. 2022;31:1,65-82, doi:10.1080/10926771.2021.1994495Warburton WA, Anderson CA.Aggression, social psychology of.International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition. 1(295–299). Elsevier; 2015.Rosell DR, Siever LJ.The neurobiology of aggression and violence.CNS Spectrums. 2015;20(3):254-279. doi:10.1017/S109285291500019XVeenstra L, Bushman BJ, Koole SL.The facts on the furious: a brief review of the psychology of trait anger.Curr Opin Psychol. 2018;19:98-103. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.03.014HelpGuide.org.Anger management.Mind.Anger.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.APA dictionary of psychology: aggression.Dewi, IDADP & Kyranides, MN.Physical, verbal, and relational aggression: the role of anger management strategies.Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma. 2022;31:1,65-82, doi:10.1080/10926771.2021.1994495Warburton WA, Anderson CA.Aggression, social psychology of.International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition. 1(295–299). Elsevier; 2015.Rosell DR, Siever LJ.The neurobiology of aggression and violence.CNS Spectrums. 2015;20(3):254-279. doi:10.1017/S109285291500019XVeenstra L, Bushman BJ, Koole SL.The facts on the furious: a brief review of the psychology of trait anger.Curr Opin Psychol. 2018;19:98-103. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.03.014HelpGuide.org.Anger management.Mind.Anger.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
American Psychological Association.APA dictionary of psychology: aggression.
Dewi, IDADP & Kyranides, MN.Physical, verbal, and relational aggression: the role of anger management strategies.Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma. 2022;31:1,65-82, doi:10.1080/10926771.2021.1994495
Warburton WA, Anderson CA.Aggression, social psychology of.International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition. 1(295–299). Elsevier; 2015.
Rosell DR, Siever LJ.The neurobiology of aggression and violence.CNS Spectrums. 2015;20(3):254-279. doi:10.1017/S109285291500019X
Veenstra L, Bushman BJ, Koole SL.The facts on the furious: a brief review of the psychology of trait anger.Curr Opin Psychol. 2018;19:98-103. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.03.014
HelpGuide.org.Anger management.
Mind.Anger.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
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