Why are people so angry?

Drs. Kerri Ritchie & Caroline Gerin-Lajoie

2024 was really hard.

Costs continue to rise. Many people are grappling with the reality of tighter budgets and the need to prioritize spending in ways they had never anticipated before.

The health care system continues to be stretched due to a confluence of factors that include an aging population, rising chronic disease prevalence, and increasing demand for services. Hospitals and clinics are grappling with staffing shortages, resource limitations, and the need to adapt to rapidly changing health care technologies.

Conflicts around the world continue. Overall, 2024 has been a year marked by significant challenges.

When people feel under threat or stressed, anxiety can be a constant companion for some. This persistent anxiety can lead to a heightened state of alertness, making it challenging to focus on daily tasks or engage in social interactions. For others, anger can bubble up. This anger can arise from feelings of helplessness or frustration, often surfacing in moments when individuals feel their boundaries have been crossed or their values threatened. We can also cycle back and forth. Anger is spilling out increasingly on line, in the media, and in public. This can feed and fuel our fears. The approach of reigning in our inner voice, or attempting to mask our true feelings for the sake of social decorum, seems to be fading from the norm. People are increasingly expressing their emotions, thoughts, and opinions more openly, believing this is what it means to live authentically.

How do we live with anger coming from within and around us ? As we navigate this new landscape, understanding the roots of our emotions and finding constructive ways to express and manage emotions is essential for fostering healthier interactions both online and offline. These feelings can create a sense of unrest within us, leading to a cycle of negative thoughts that can be difficult to break. Externally, anger can be provoked by the actions or words of others, societal injustices, or even global events that stir our emotions. This external anger can often feel overwhelming, as we navigate a world that may seem rife with conflict and hostility.

First and foremost, acknowledging our anger is crucial. Instead of suppressing it or allowing it to fester, we must recognize its presence and understand its triggers. This doesn't mean we will always be "right", feel fully comfortable, or understood by everyone.  We can acknowledge how hard it is, use strategies to decrease the intensity of it (e.g. time outs, exercise, music, art, writing, social support), and be in control of what we say and how we say it.