Normal or abnormal- Violent thoughts when angry?
When I'm angry....sometimes I get the urge to harm other people. I have meltdowns were I occasionally want to take a knife and rip apart someone's face with it until there's nothing left but blood and clumps of skin hanging off. If I leave the situation and go off somewhere by myself and regroup for a while, the horrible feelings pass and I feel calm and collected again....even ashamed of myself. It's scary for me, normally I'm pretty calm and my family can vouch for that, but when people make me upset and/or angry I have violent thoughts that rush through my head and a really strong adrenaline rush that's hard to control. I haven't tried to hurt anyone, but this feelings are very disturbing for me. Is this normal or abnormal? And if this is abnormal, then what's the normal way to be angry?
Why do I have violent thoughts?
Now most of you are thinking "Oh he watches too much TV or plays too many games!"...not the case, I suffer from a series of different things such as depression and anxiety but because I am not eighteen...I am seventeen, they can not legally diagnose me...and my past isn't exactly rainbows and candy...but not the point, I have always had violent thoughts but they have worsened and sometimes seem to happen at any moment. I have tried looking for "triggers" but these thoughts are too random, One moment I am thinking of my future as a business manager, the next I want to put a drill through my hand, one moment I am with a friend talking about the latest things, the next I want to beat him up...and it so random...which unfortunately gives me a pissed off look constantly, and though many people like me they perceive my actions like how I walk or my facial expressions the wrong way...what could this be?
How do I calm my violent thoughts when people make me angry? Sometimes, I am so stressed that I have to talk out loud because I can't contain my thoughts although that doesn't need to be angry.
What I’ve come to realize is that when I become angry, I’ve gone mad. Of course, the trick is not get to the point where you yourself feels that you’re angry (or mad). However, if you are already there, then the first course of action is to remove yourself from a situation or surroundings that made you angry to begin with.When I am mad, I will run away and hide. I know that I am mad and there is nothing good that can arise from that head space. So, I will seek out solitude and allow the anger to burn it’s way through. How many times have I said, “Oh… I should not have said that… etc”? As the saying goes, to dwell in anger is to drink poison and expecting other to die.The thing to note here is that if you have the wherewithal, you can actually see the process. There is a flash point. Up until that point, although somewhat difficult, you can maintain control. Whilst you do have control, there are techniques that you can apply to stop yourself from igniting. I would like to recommend that you take a closer look at the anatomy of this process.As Erik suggests, I would recommend some sort of meditation as a general remedy. Although it is not a quick fix, it does have a lasting effect on you to live a more fulfilled and rewarding life. I am a zen practitioner, and for me, trying to reduce my ego footprint has been most rewarding. In the context of this dialog, I am trying to reduce who “I” am. Without the “I” (or the ego) it’s not possible to become angry.What I have noticed lately is how wonderful this life is. Yes, it’s not perfect and for some of us, it seems doubly hard… Because we make it hard. But it does not need to be. And one of the most wonderful thing that I have realized is that it does not need to be. There are ways of dealing with it. But all that is out there and available, the first step starts with you.I wish you well…K
Why do I get sudden violent thoughts?
i dont know maybe its just the thought of being able to do it intrigues you. I must admit it's not normal for those thoughts to pop into your head consistently though. I have had times where I thought "hey it would probably be easy to get away with murder," or something along those lines but I dont specifically think of a person in my household. sometimes I think of bad situations in my head just cuz I know it makes me uncomfortable and I think it comforts me that it's NOT actually happening and its all just in my head. People are weird, minds are weirder. the brain is very unexplainable at times. The good thing about it is atleast you KNOW it's wrong, and as you said it "sickens" you. so try to use those thoughts as motiviation to STEER CLEAR of violence and learn right from wrong. the important thing is that you know its WRONG and NOT TO DO IT. hopefully one day you'll overcome these thoughts. the more you think about it though the more these thoughts will come, its the law of attraction. Just whatever you do please dont hurt your family. and especially not when theyre sleeping because attacking someone while they are defenseless is a very pitiful thing to do, not saying you are pitiful. its hard to control thoughts, but just be careful of your actions and THINK before doing things. Also, if the thoughts continue or youre considerably concerned or afraid you might end up hurting someone, nip the problem in the *** before it happens so you wont end up in prison or hurting your family. Go see a therapist, that may help. even talk to about it with your friends/family if you think they wont judge you. Good luck man and stay optimistic!
Why do I keep having violent thoughts that I don't want?
What you may be experiencing are called "egodystonic thoughts".These are an anxiety symptom, common in people diagnosed with OCD, but also seen in people with generalized anxiety.I know about these become I suffer from them myself.They are called egodystonic, because there is no will, or ego, behind them. They are not really reflective of your own desires. They are not reflective of your own emotional state.For me, my egodystonic thoughts center around two things - jumping off of high places (I hate being on roofs or cliffs), and when I am around the knife block in my kitchen (I have stabbing thoughts).As a person and a therapist, I can tell you I have never heard of someone acting on these egodystonic thoughts.They are not indicative of you being a bad person, or crazy.If you want to make sure about this, see a good psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist. Make sure they know about anxiety and OCD.If you really feel like you might do anything violent, please call 911 or seek help immediately.
Why am I getting violent thoughts and imaginations?
You are human. If you keep them to just thoughts, no problem. If you act on them you have a problem. Try yelling, screaming, punching pillows, drawing, throwing darts, throwing nerf balls or other such things to relieve stress.Humans have been violent and angry for millenniums. This is the most peaceful time in history, as people generally manage their anger. Find something that works for you because if you cross the line, committing violence in reality, you will end up in jail.
How do I control violent thoughts about my mother?
Sounds like either you don't like your mother or your mother don't like you.Violent thoughts are dangerous.But in between violent and thoughts, there is always a situation that triggers you. So sort out your thoughts about your mother, the situation, the thought process that gets you violent about your mother.Once you understand the situation, then you have to decide how, when and what you going to do. Thoughts are similar to feelings. But thoughts and feelings are equally important as your actions acted upon the situation, which makes up of events and people.If you are angry, remember that you are hurt and you want to blame, therefore you are blaming your mother and hurt. In order to help yourself understand how, when and what create such violence. Then you decide how you want to resolve, is it the hurt, the blame or the situation you are in. Deal with them, and likely you will feel better.
Recurring violent thoughts, I'm afraid...?
I've had violent thoughts before as well. Everyone has strange thoughts, and they can be scary to some who are genuinely good people and wouldn't hurt anyone. No one has a squeaky-clean psyche and everyone thinks at one time or another things like, "I would really like to take my boss's stupid-looking tie and strangle him with it." You should only worry when you start making actual plans to do these things, like "Tonight, after work, I'm going to dress in the black woolen jogging suit that I bought for this, pull up to my boss's house at 1:05 a.m., and then..." And so on. Meanwhile, there are many ways to work through these thoughts. First, don't hold them in or they'll get worse. Second, try to find a creative outlet or hobby that can get your mind to process such feelings constructively. Third, try to talk to a professional who is experienced enough to not judge you. I have often told my psychiatrist about my thoughts and he surprised me with how normal a lot of my thoughts really were. Finally, of course, don't act on these thoughts.
Incredibly violent thoughts pop into my head very often, although I never feel the slightest urge to act on them. What might this mean?
One of Sigmund Freud’s accomplishments was to point out that we all have more hostile and sexual thoughts than we care to admit. The “I” we identify with (and like to believe is who we are) is in reality a carefully edited version of ourselves.The more we deny that we have inappropriate hostile and sexual wishes because we are trying to be a “good person,” the more likely these repressed thoughts are to pop into our head.Carl Jung, a contemporary of Freud’s, talked about our “shadow”—disowned parts of us that grow in power the more we deny them.Putting these two ideas together suggests that:You probably try hard to be a good person in real life.You may have some angry feelings about someone in your lfe that you have not been admitting into consciousness.It is these that denied angry feelings that are the source of your thoughts about stabbing your friend. You definitely have been repressing your hostility (which may be about your friend or someone else entirely).Studies show that most people think about sex much more often throughout the day than is commonly supposed. Our thoughts are often very graphic and directed towards people we might not view as appropriate mates.A Suggestion: When you have a sudden and intrusive violent thought, take a moment to review who in your life is currently making you angry. You may have been suppressing your anger because you do not like to confront people. Once you consciously realize what in real life is making you angry and who you are mad at, your intrusive and violent thoughts are likely to diminish. Then you can decide what, if anything, you want to do in reality.Freud in his book, Civilization and Its Discontents, suggested that a certain amount of neurosis caused by having to suppress our unscceptable hostile and sexual wishes is the price we pay for living together in groups.Elinor Greenberg, PhD, CGPIn private practice in NYC and the author of the book: Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid Adaotations: The Pursuit of Love, Admiration, and Safety.www.elinorgreenberg.com