The Role of Anger and Rage in the Brain
What is the role of anger and rage in the brain, and what are the reasons behind it? The concept of temperament, or the natural predisposition for intense reactions, is sometimes genetically inherited from birth.
Now, the question arises: If a person has this genetic code, does that mean they are necessarily aggressive and quick-tempered, showing fast and intense reactions? The answer to this question is no; it is not necessarily the case.
Behavior and upbringing are very important factors in activating or deactivating genetic codes. A healthy upbringing keeps this genetic predisposition in a dormant state.
These genetic codes can also be activated through learning, particularly through the sharp and intense behavior a child observes and learns from their parents.
Another factor that plays a role in activating this is events and occurrences in early childhood. Childhood events may create fear and anxiety in an individual, and one of the foundations of anger and rage is this factor of fear and anxiety.
A part of our brain called the limbic system, which is common between humans and animals, is the seat of our emotions and feelings. It contains a portion known as the amygdala. The amygdala is the emergency response part of our body; in a way, human survival depends on this part of the brain, as it helps an individual in times of danger.
Among children who have chronic anger or are in families exposed to trauma, such as high-conflict families or those dealing with addiction, the amygdala part of the brain is constantly active. In other words, the parts of the brain that issue escape, protection, and defense commands are overworked and become more developed, while other parts become weaker in comparison to the amygdala.
The amygdala is a vital part of our body because it signals danger, triggers the fight-or-flight response. This is why these children are referred to as having an overactive amygdala, meaning their emergency response behavior is highly active.
Now, let’s examine the hippocampus in the brain. The physiological structure of the hippocampus is similar to a seahorse, and the root of this word is Greek and has the same meaning. The hippocampus is essentially the memory reservoir of humans, where memory files are categorized and stored. This part of the brain archives our experiences from early childhood until death. The hippocampus is the gray part of the brain, located above the animal part of the brain, covering it.
In the frontal lobe, there is a section that acts as the brain’s command center. In other words, the analysis, evaluation, and issuance of commands are the responsibility of this part of the brain. This area of the frontal lobe essentially acts as our behavioral brakes. For instance, when you are about to make an impulsive move, this part of the brain analyzes it and acts as a brake.
For instance, when you are about to make an impulsive move, this part of the brain analyzes it and acts as a brake.
People whose frontal lobe functions better are more self-controlled and composed compared to those who have weakness in this area.
If a person has a disorder in this part of the brain, there is no control or braking in their behavior when they get angry. For example, they might hit someone because they have no control over their hands or legs, or they might swear because they can’t control their language and enter the animalistic part of their brain.
As soon as a trigger for anger occurs, this part of the brain starts to analyze the situation, communicates with the hippocampus and other parts of the brain, and decides what kind of reaction to show.
People with good braking in the frontal lobe are more patient when faced with such triggers and analyze the message in various parts of the brain. However, individuals whose frontal lobe is not functioning properly immediately turn the situation into a physical reaction; these people do not give the various parts of the brain a chance to consult and make decisions.
In individuals with genetic problems, these genes interfere with the transmission of messages from one area to another, which is why these individuals react quickly and get angry.
Alcohol and drugs also affect parts of the brain and turn human behaviors into more aggressive ones.
Opioids calm people down; for example, individuals who use opium become more pleasant and talkative because it affects their brain. However, these effects are not permanent, and as soon as they wear off, the person experiences more severe disturbances, such as anxiety, stress, anger, and intense, false emotions. The intensity of this reaction depends on the severity of each person’s addiction. This is why addicted individuals become irritable with the slightest trigger—because their brains are unable to analyze the situation.
In families where the parents are prone to swearing and yelling, one of the consequences for their children is that the neural pathways, which form and develop through experience, become disrupted. This is the beginning of a catastrophe. Children growing up in these families tend to resemble their parents, and this process is passed down from generation to generation.
The parts of the brain related to survival (such as fleeing, attacking, and aggression) become more active in children of these families because, based on the experiences they gain from childhood, the connections between survival-related cells become stronger. Meanwhile, the connections between cells related to self-esteem, dignity, calmness, creativity, and positive emotions become weaker. In some cases, these cells may even die, and they cannot be repaired.
