M.O.
I think you're describing some behaviors that need to be dealt with, and some that are very positive and could even be encouraged.
If he's yelling and making hitting-type gestures, he probably needs to hear, over and over again, "I can't understand you when your voice is so loud. It's okay to be mad, but please tell me about it in a quiet voice and keep your hands to yourself." -- something like that.
But if he's stepping away to pull himself together -- that's fantastic! He's getting himself out of a situation that makes him upset, and he's reentering society when he's got his emotions under control. That's what they *teach* people to do in Anger Management classes. There's nothing the matter with that in the world.