A person’s relationships, career, and physical health are all badly impacted by having a short fuse, which frequently indicates underlying psychological distress.
In Short
- Being short-tempered can impact your mental as well as physical health
- Mental health experts say it is possible to stop being short-tempered
- Doing so requires acknowledging the issue, a strong will to change, and empathy
Anger has a detrimental effect on one’s relationships, career, and physical well-being. It also frequently suggests underlying psychological distress.
Short Temper. Some people attribute it to their zodiac signs, while others blame their genes (Aries and Scorpios, are you listening?). But those frequent fits of rage, whether they take the form of uncalled-for yelling, violent outbursts, passive aggression, or physical assaults, are more detrimental than beneficial.
Even those who are easily angered suffer from an inability to regulate their emotions, even though it is never enjoyable for the recipient. Imagine losing your temper over a minor annoyance and then having to deal with the guilt that comes with it—like hitting out at someone very close to you.
This kind of behavior can lead to job termination letters, broken friendships, and failed marriages.
In summary, having a short fuse has a detrimental effect on one’s relationships, career, and physical health. It also frequently indicates that there may be underlying psychological distress.
The Impact on Your Health
“Persistent irritability and anger raise stress levels, which can result in long-term illnesses like heart disease, hypertension, and compromised immune systems. hhHHH, it can lead to anxiety, depression, and feelings of shame or guilt, which intensify irritability, says Dr. Rahul Chandhok, head consultant, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, mental health and behavioral science. Due to the negative effects of a short fuse on interpersonal relationships, people also experience loneliness and isolation.
“A cycle of negative emotions and physical symptoms can be produced by an inability to effectively manage anger, which lowers overall quality of life. Long-term, this can result in major health issues and a decline in emotional health, says Dr. Chandhok.
However, a lot of irritable people choose to accept their short fuse as a part of who they are rather than even trying to resolve the problem. Is that the case? Absolutely not! Is there anything you can do to get over your anger issues? Indeed, without a doubt.
Nonetheless, acknowledgment and a desire to change are the first steps.
Why Are Some People Short-tempered?
Let’s first examine the causes of some people’s irritability. Genetics is one of the many factors that make it up to a large extent (NGL).
“There’s never a single, universal explanation. There are several factors that lead to it. According to Dr. Era Dutta (MD Psychiatry, DNB, MBBS), consultant psychiatrist and founder of Mind Wellness in Kolkata, “it is usually a combination of the bio-psycho-social model,” The Ultimate News reports.
Biological Reasons:
- Genetics causes
- Physiological causes like hunger, sleepiness, tiredness
- Neurochemicals like adrenaline, cortisol, and dopamine hijack our brain during these short anger outbursts
- Medical issues like thyroid imbalances, fluctuating blood sugars, or brain injuries can influence emotional responses
Psychological reasons:
- Certain personalities like cluster B (antisocial personality, narcissistic personality, borderline personality) are more prone to short temper
- Difficulty in regulating emotions due to previous trauma history, underlying psychological issues
- Certain individuals have low frustration tolerance, meaning they get ticked off easily (you can learn skills to increase your frustration tolerance)
- People who haven’t developed effective coping mechanisms for dealing with frustration or conflict
Social Reasons:
Dr. Dutta continues, “External stressors like heat, noise, traffic, arguments, and challenging living situations can also contribute to a short temper.”
A psychological ailment such as intermittent explosive disorder may also be the cause.
Frequent, strong outbursts of disproportionately violent rage and aggression are the hallmarks of IED, a mental health disorder. Outbursts from verbal abuse to physical violence can occur in people with IEDs, and these episodes can cause a great deal of distress or impairment in their personal and professional lives, according to Dr. Dutta.
What Does a Short Temper Look Like?
A short fuse is more than just snapping at someone. Along with hiding behind passive aggression or silent treatment, it can also result in physical altercations.
The psychologist Dr. Neerja Agarwal, who also co-founded the mental health platform Emoneeds, describes the typical signs of a short fuse as follows:
Bidding it Goodbye
You can correct a short temper, but only if you really want to. Gaining better control over it frequently requires a blend of behavioral techniques, self-awareness, and occasionally expert assistance.
The following strategies to manage a short fuse are recommended by Dr. Achal Bhagat, senior consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals and chairperson of mental health services Saarthak:
- Practising self-awareness and acknowledging the issues
- Recognizing triggers and noticing patterns
- Engaging in relaxation techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation
- Using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to challenge negative thoughts and behaviors
- Developing problem-solving skills and learning alternative responses to situations
- Engaging in regular exercise and physical activity to reduce stress and anxiety
- Seeking social support from friends, family, or a therapist
A golden tip: Before responding, give it some thought and hold off on responding. Give the issue you are arguing about some thought before your irrational anger gets the better of you. Do you think it will still have an effect on you a year from now? Even just making the effort to set aside some time to consider it will help you avoid that irrational outburst.
Said to be unbecoming of a short-tempered person is a difficult task. You cannot go on this journey by yourself in a single night. In addition, you would need encouragement, constancy, and a compelling cause to change.
According to Dr Dutta, those aiming to control their short temper need:
- Acceptance and self-awareness
- Acknowledgment
- A true reason and will to change
- A toolkit of temper management skills
- Constant effort and endeavor
- A supportive caring person
You can also try the C.A.L.M technique that Dr Dutta says she shares with her younger clients.
C – Count to ten
Before reacting, take a moment to count to ten slowly. This brief pause can help you cool down and think more clearly.
A – Assess the situation
Consider what triggered your anger and whether the reaction is proportional. Understanding the situation helps in responding more effectively.
L – Look for solutions
Instead of focusing on what upset you, shift your attention to finding constructive solutions or ways to address the issue.
M – Manage your emotions
Use techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness to help regulate your emotional state.
“Never consider yourself to be a short-tempered individual. Recognize it, accept it even, but resist the urge to start living with it as your identity. Describe yourself as a “work in progress” to avoid coming across as flawed. You might start to perceive the world differently if you develop empathy for people who are the target of your rage. According to Dr. Dutta, empathy is the solution.
It takes work, tolerance, and encouragement to control a short fuse, but the rewards are great—if not for other people, then at least for your own health. After all, it may help prevent heart problems and high blood pressure.