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Anger

For anger that's too frequent, too big, or costing you relationships, work or self-respect, in adults, teens and children.

Schedule an appointmentCall (843) 894-0000

Anger is a normal emotion with a job to do: it tells you a boundary was crossed or something isn't fair. It becomes a problem when it fires too easily, runs too hot, or lands on the people you love. Many people who struggle with anger are not "angry people"; they're carrying stress, hurt, fear or exhaustion that has nowhere else to go, and anger is the one feeling that was ever allowed.

Anger is treatable, and treatment isn't about swallowing it. It's about noticing it earlier, understanding what's underneath, and having more than one way to respond.

What we help with

Anger itself isn't a DSM-5-TR diagnosis, but it's a core feature of several conditions. Your clinician will evaluate what's driving it.

Anger that's out of proportion
Reactions that are bigger than the situation, happen often, and are causing damage at home or work.
Intermittent explosive disorder
Recurrent outbursts of verbal or physical aggression, grossly out of proportion to the provocation, that are impulsive rather than planned and cause distress or impairment. A DSM-5-TR diagnosis that responds well to CBT.
Anger as a symptom
Irritability and anger are common faces of depression, especially in men and teens; of PTSD and complex trauma; of ADHD; and of chronic stress and burnout. Treating the underlying condition often resolves the anger.
Anger in children and teens
Severe tantrums, aggression and defiance, including oppositional defiant disorder and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Parent-focused treatment is the most effective approach for younger children.
Anger and relationships
Conflict patterns in couples and families where anger has become the main way anyone gets heard. Often addressed in individual and relationship work together.

How we treat it

Cognitive behavioral anger management has decades of evidence: recognizing early physical cues, identifying the thoughts that pour fuel on the fire, relaxation and de-escalation skills, and practicing different responses in the situations that trigger you. DBT skills help with the intensity. When anger is rooted in trauma or depression, we treat that directly. If you're required to complete a specific court-ordered program, call first so we can confirm whether our services meet the requirement.

When to reach out

  • Someone you love is afraid of your anger
  • You've damaged property or come close to hurting someone
  • Anger is affecting your job or has gotten you in trouble
  • You feel irritable nearly all the time
  • Your child's outbursts are beyond what other kids their age have
Schedule an appointmentCall (843) 894-0000

Common questions

Is anger management the same as therapy?

Anger management is a type of therapy focused specifically on anger. At Oceanic® it's delivered by licensed clinicians who can also treat what's underneath the anger, which is usually what makes the change stick.

Do you offer court-ordered anger management?

Sometimes. Requirements vary by court and program. Call with the details of what's required and we'll tell you whether our services meet it.

Does insurance cover this?

Insurance covers treatment of a diagnosable condition, which anger problems usually come with (an adjustment disorder, depression, PTSD, ADHD or intermittent explosive disorder). Your clinician will make the appropriate diagnosis after the first visit.

Where to get help for anger

Available at every Oceanic® office and through our telehealth team.

Grand Strand

Midlands

  • West Columbia
    121 Executive Center Dr, Suite 102, Columbia, SC 29210
  • Forest Acres
    1800 Saint Julian Place, Suite 401, Columbia, SC 29204
  • Irmo
    7520 Irmo Dr, Columbia, SC 29212

Upstate

  • Greenville
    37 Villa Rd, Suite 508, Greenville, SC 29615
  • Anderson
    132 Broadbent Way, Anderson, SC 29625

Lowcountry

Anywhere in South Carolina

  • Online
    Secure video sessions, statewide

Diagnostic descriptions on this page are summarized in plain language from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR, 2022). This page is educational. It is not a substitute for evaluation by a licensed clinician, and only a licensed clinician can make a diagnosis.

Ready when you are.

Call us or submit a short intake form. A Patient Account Representative will match you with a therapist, and most new clients have their first appointment within a few business days.

Schedule an appointmentCall (843) 894-0000