Anger management...for Mom!

I feel for you--I was having the same problem last year. I even told the Dr that is was like I lost my filter and that it felt like I had the worst case of PMS ever and it wasn't stopping. I couldn't not say all these things that were making me mad. Then I would end up even more upset/angry/sad.

I finally- after a long tearful talk with my husband- went to my family Dr., told him about all of it. He said he believed I was suffering from depression. I didn't think so, I was just angry! We talked for a while (he's a great Dr like that). I took a low dose of prozac for 6 months and tried to stop taking it. Unfortunately at that time I could feel the anger creeping back so I started taking it again -on a low enough dose you don't have to be weened off. After a year I was able to stop and stay off! Aaaannnd, so far so good.

I never could put a finger on what exactly triggered everything....but taking an antidepressant really helped. Anger is a sign of depression, I didn't know it could be the only one you get.

Good luck, L.. Don't be afraid to ask for help :)

Oh my gosh, I think I could have written this post! I'm wondering about perimenopause, myself, so I should definitely learn more.

I feel myself getting upset about things that don't deserve that much energy. Not that I don't have a legitimate complaint, but my emotions are more than a little bit out of proportion with the actual "crime."

I've been trying to just keep talking to myself throughout the day. When I get home from work, I remind myself that I'm going to be a good mommy and a positive mommy and I try to remind myself of all that needs to happen between the time I walk in the door and the time I get the kids to bed. I want to remind myself of the most common pitfalls that I encounter and kind of prepare myself so that I can just take them in stride.

I've also been talking to my husband about helping me to stop before I start. If he sees me do something or say something that tells him we're headed for trouble, to just put his arm around me or try to make me smile or simply say, "Um, you're doing it, again."

I'm really hoping you get some good suggestions, because, I hear ya, sister!

It is hormonal based.
PMS and hormonal imbalances etc., can really affect the moods... and makes women moody/angry etc. and very irritable. Because it is hormonal based, you need to target that, per any solutions.

Perhaps see a Naturopath for natural ways to alleviate it.

Hormonal based anger/irritations, are not just mental. It is physiological.

Hi L.,

My marriage counselor used to address this very issue with me ALL the time. It's one of my main problems. You're spot on when you say that there is no cognitive thinking involved, it's just straight from event to anger. It seems that with therapy I was able to make that gap between the event and the anger longer, and I was able to maintain cognitive thinking, but it was quite a process. What helped the most was the medication (I take an anti-depressant and a mood stabilizer). The medication literally calms that flash anger. Maybe you could try one temporarily to help with the transition during menopause? If you're against that, ,therapy really does help. It's not something you can just snap out of, so don't be hard on yourself. I know it's tough to live with yourself, I used to beat myself up over it all the time. The fact that you're asking this question tells me that you care enough about how you're affecting other people to want to change it. Good for you! (HUGS)

Yoga classes are really helpful in learning to stop, control your movements and breathing and take deep breathes. I think it would be another way for you to work on calming yourself down. I havent mastered meditation but I've heard when you get some experience with meditation when you are in a stressful situation you should Eventually just be able to think of your mantra and feel calmer immediately.
Good luck, I'm sure recognizing the problem and having a plan to make it better is the best first step.

Only empathy here- I think we are in the same boat :)... I was so upset about my lack of self control that I saw a therapist about this very thing :). Basically, the techniques she taught me were to more and more get aware of what I was feeling in my body during the day, moment to moment (somatic). It takes practice. I haven't seen her in a while and I am noticing I need more help practicing this, but I can't say enough good about getting help with this. I see a big difference in my whole family when I am using the techniques. Best of luck!

Okay, so here's news for most people, but the levels of microwave radiation we are being exposed to daily from multiple sources is unprecedented. Microwaves, cell phones, cordless phones, laptops and various other sources...

Our adrenals and thyroids are getting burnt out.

The first thing to do is reduce or eliminate all sources of wireless radiation.

Then you need to eat a pristine diet full of fruits and vegetables.

There are also some good supplements you can take to bolster your adrenal and thyroid:

Adrenal support: raw glandulars: Adrenal Cortex

http://www.nutri-meds.com/Whole_Adrenal_Glandular_p/nm-g-...

Holy Basil Tulsi capsules

http://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-premium-full-spect...

Thyroid Helper

http://www.wellnessresources.com/health_topics/thyroid_me...

Co-E-Enzyme B Complex

http://www.wellnessresources.com/products/super_b_complex...

Liquid iodine:

http://www.magnascent.com/

Go slowly with this protocol... because your body is in dire imbalance and you will need to heal yourself slowly.

Wishing you good health and peace!

Adrenal fatigue for sure. The adrenal glands are often forgotten, especially in lab exams, but they are part of the endocrine system.

I love my adrenal support. It took me a few brands to find one that worked for me. Also, Withania (an herb) that helps with people who are wired and tired.

Chaste tree and Tribulus taken in the am and pm seem to stop hot flashes for most women by balancing out the hormones.