Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesEffectsTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Effects
Treatment
Coping
Displaced, or misplaced, anger happens when someone transfers their anger to someone or something other than what initially triggered it.For example, someone angry with a decision their boss made may direct that anger at a co-worker or friend who had nothing to do with the situation. Displaced anger can lead to displaced aggression—physical or emotional hostility toward someone or something other than the initial trigger.
Talk therapy can help identify this process and improve self-awareness with increased understanding. In addition, anger management, stress reduction, and treating any underlying mental health conditions, may all help to resolve this behavior.
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Displaced Anger Causes
Displacement of feelings or behaviors, including displaced anger, is a defense mechanism, something the mindunconsciouslyor unknowingly does to self-protect against a threat or perceived threat.People might use displacement and other defense mechanisms if they experienceabuseor othertraumas, especially as a child.These are referred to asadverse childhood experiencesor ACEs.
Additionally, displaced anger may result from certain mental health conditions. For example, there may be a relationship between anger displacement and aggression in people withbipolar disorder.Though people may displace anger or other feelings at times, this can become a problem when it is extreme or happens too often.
Causes of Displaced AngerAbuse, including emotional, verbal, physical, and sexual, or seeing another person abusedOther traumatic eventsAdverse childhood experiencesGettingbulliedClose exposure toalcohol or drug abuseDeath of a family member or close friendExperiencing poverty, hunger, or homelessnessSevere injury or illness (to yourself or a family member)Parents divorceEmotional triggers
Causes of Displaced Anger
Abuse, including emotional, verbal, physical, and sexual, or seeing another person abusedOther traumatic eventsAdverse childhood experiencesGettingbulliedClose exposure toalcohol or drug abuseDeath of a family member or close friendExperiencing poverty, hunger, or homelessnessSevere injury or illness (to yourself or a family member)Parents divorceEmotional triggers
The Effects of Displaced Anger
Displaced anger can lead to displaced aggression, relationship conflicts, issues at work, and additionalbehavior issues.It can also make treating underlyingmental health conditionsthat may cause anger more challenging.
Displaced Anger EffectsBehavior problemsDisplaced aggressionEmotional and/or mental exhaustionIssues at workRelationship conflictChallenges with mental health treatment
Displaced Anger Effects
Behavior problemsDisplaced aggressionEmotional and/or mental exhaustionIssues at workRelationship conflictChallenges with mental health treatment
Treatment for Displaced Anger
Treatment of displaced anger may involve healing from past experiences and traumas, addressing underlying mental health conditions, reducingstress, and learninganger managementstrategies.
Some possible treatment options for displaced anger include:
Additional tips you can try for displaced anger include:
Coping With Displaced Anger
Because defense mechanisms like displacing anger are unconscious patterns, people who exhibit them may initially be unaware of their actions.However, becoming aware of patterns and changing your responses is possible. Working with a mental health provider, such as a therapist or psychologist, can help. Learning how to cope when you feel angry can help prevent your anger from escalating.
Strategies helpful for coping with anger include:
You can also schedule personal time during the day to unwind, or when you first get home after work. This can help you decompress during, or after a stressful day.
When a partner displaces anger, distancing yourself from them and the situation until things have calmed down can help. Couples or relationship counseling can help you and your partner learn communication and conflict resolution strategies and work through issues related to displaced anger.
Summary
Displaced anger happens when someone transfers their frustration or anger to someone or something other than what triggers the feeling. Displaced anger is a defense mechanism that may result from abuse or trauma (especially from childhood), death or illness, or underlying mental health conditions. It can lead to displaced aggression, which involves causing physical or emotional harm to other people or things.
Treatment options for displaced anger include talk therapy, stress relief, anger management, and treatment for underlying mental health conditions.
Living with displaced anger can be challenging for the person displacing the anger and the people around them. If you’re displacing anger often and it’s interfering with personal relationships and daily life, reach out to a mental health provider for support. You can learn to manage your anger before it escalates.
14 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.Displacement.American Psychological Association.Displaced aggression.American Psychological Association.Defense mechanism.Fang S, Chung MC, Wang Y.The impact of past trauma on psychological distress: the roles of defense mechanisms and alexithymia.Front Psychol. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00992Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adverse childhood experiences.Bragazzi NL, Pezzoni F, Del Puente G.Investigating aggressive styles and defense mechanisms in bipolar patients and in their parents.Health Psychol Res. 2014;2(3):1546. doi:10.4081/hpr.2014.1546Liu Y, Wang M, Chang CH, et al.Work–family conflict, emotional exhaustion, and displaced aggression toward others: The moderating roles of workplace interpersonal conflict and perceived managerial family support.J Appl Psychol. 2015;100(3), 793–808. doi:10.1037/a0038387Bailey R, Pico J.Defense mechanisms. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.Stress relief is within reach.American Psychological Association.Anger management.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Treatments.American Psychological Association.Control anger before it controls you.American Psychological Association.Control anger before it controls you.
14 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.Displacement.American Psychological Association.Displaced aggression.American Psychological Association.Defense mechanism.Fang S, Chung MC, Wang Y.The impact of past trauma on psychological distress: the roles of defense mechanisms and alexithymia.Front Psychol. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00992Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adverse childhood experiences.Bragazzi NL, Pezzoni F, Del Puente G.Investigating aggressive styles and defense mechanisms in bipolar patients and in their parents.Health Psychol Res. 2014;2(3):1546. doi:10.4081/hpr.2014.1546Liu Y, Wang M, Chang CH, et al.Work–family conflict, emotional exhaustion, and displaced aggression toward others: The moderating roles of workplace interpersonal conflict and perceived managerial family support.J Appl Psychol. 2015;100(3), 793–808. doi:10.1037/a0038387Bailey R, Pico J.Defense mechanisms. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.Stress relief is within reach.American Psychological Association.Anger management.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Treatments.American Psychological Association.Control anger before it controls you.American Psychological Association.Control anger before it controls you.
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.Displacement.American Psychological Association.Displaced aggression.American Psychological Association.Defense mechanism.Fang S, Chung MC, Wang Y.The impact of past trauma on psychological distress: the roles of defense mechanisms and alexithymia.Front Psychol. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00992Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adverse childhood experiences.Bragazzi NL, Pezzoni F, Del Puente G.Investigating aggressive styles and defense mechanisms in bipolar patients and in their parents.Health Psychol Res. 2014;2(3):1546. doi:10.4081/hpr.2014.1546Liu Y, Wang M, Chang CH, et al.Work–family conflict, emotional exhaustion, and displaced aggression toward others: The moderating roles of workplace interpersonal conflict and perceived managerial family support.J Appl Psychol. 2015;100(3), 793–808. doi:10.1037/a0038387Bailey R, Pico J.Defense mechanisms. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.Stress relief is within reach.American Psychological Association.Anger management.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Treatments.American Psychological Association.Control anger before it controls you.American Psychological Association.Control anger before it controls you.
American Psychological Association.Displacement.
American Psychological Association.Displaced aggression.
American Psychological Association.Defense mechanism.
Fang S, Chung MC, Wang Y.The impact of past trauma on psychological distress: the roles of defense mechanisms and alexithymia.Front Psychol. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00992
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adverse childhood experiences.
Bragazzi NL, Pezzoni F, Del Puente G.Investigating aggressive styles and defense mechanisms in bipolar patients and in their parents.Health Psychol Res. 2014;2(3):1546. doi:10.4081/hpr.2014.1546
Liu Y, Wang M, Chang CH, et al.Work–family conflict, emotional exhaustion, and displaced aggression toward others: The moderating roles of workplace interpersonal conflict and perceived managerial family support.J Appl Psychol. 2015;100(3), 793–808. doi:10.1037/a0038387
Bailey R, Pico J.Defense mechanisms. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.
American Psychological Association.Stress relief is within reach.
American Psychological Association.Anger management.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Treatments.
American Psychological Association.Control anger before it controls you.
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