1, 3, 4 In another example, some people who grew up in a house with an abusive parent might associate anger with fear, danger, or damaged relationships. For instance, if you grew up in a household that shamed or criticized emotional expression, you may have internalized the belief that it isn’t safe to talk about your feelings, causing you to repress emotions instead of express them. In some cases, you might not have felt allowed to feel or talk about your anger as a child. 1 Cultural norms also factor into how people learn to express anger, with girls frequently learning it is unacceptable to express anger. ![]() In turn, this causes them to internalize anger about what happened to them. 3 After experiencing trauma, many people feel confused, sad, or ashamed, and blame themselves for what happened. Repressed anger can occur for many reasons, but traumatic experiences in childhood trauma are the most common culprit. ![]() 1, 2 Causes & Triggers of Repressed Anger Repression of anger is anger that is not expressed, usually because people subconsciously want to ignore it or avoid it, often out of fear or shame. There are different ways that people respond when they are angry, and various methods of expressing anger. 1Īnger is a universal secondary emotion all humans experience, typically in response to situations that are perceived as upsetting, stressful, or unfair. Individuals who struggle with repressed anger often say, “ I never get angry!” because they are unaware of their anger. Repressed anger is different from suppressed anger, which refers to the feelings people purposely avoid. Some medications can also interfere with the ability to cry.Repressed anger is anger that is unintentionally avoided, often as an attempt to avoid uncomfortable feelings related to stress, conflict, and tension. Medical conditions or medicationsĬertain medical conditions, such as dry eye syndrome or Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition, can affect tear production. You may feel numb, flat, or hopeless, and may not react to things that might normally make you cry. This emotional armor can make it difficult for them to access softer emotions like sadness, thereby making it hard to cry.” Mental health conditionsĬertain mental health conditions, such as depression, can also cause a lack of emotion. “To avoid appearing vulnerable, some people may adopt feelings of anger and dominance as a defense mechanism. “In many cultures and social settings, vulnerability is seen as a weakness, potentially exposing individuals to shame or ridicule,” Pataky says. This can be due to a variety of factors, including societal norms. Carolina Pataky, a marriage and family therapist, certified sex therapist, and clinical sexologist in South Florida, calls it “emotional constipation” when emotions are suppressed and not easily accessible. “The brain’s emotional regulation mechanisms, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, can become overactive, suppressing natural responses like crying.Īdditionally, a neurobiological disconnection between emotions and physiological state, often stemming from trauma or chronic stress, can hinder the ability to cry.” Stigmaĭr. ![]() “Mirror neurons, which activate in response to observed behaviors, may condition a person to suppress emotions if they were surrounded by emotionally reserved individuals,” he says. Early life experiencesĪccording to Dan Auerbach, a clinical psychotherapist and relationship counselor in Sydney, Australia, attachment theory highlights how early relationships with caregivers shape emotional responses.įor example, a 2016 study suggests that avoidant attachment is associated with suppressed emotions and the belief that crying is an unhealthy way to express emotions.Īuerbach goes on to explain the role of interpersonal neuroscience, the brain’s role in emotional interaction. There are also certain conditions and medications that may affect your ability to cry. A variety of factors can contribute to emotional suppression, making it hard to cry.
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