Is Rage a Trauma Response? Uncovering the Hidden Link

Is rage a trauma response? This is a question that many people, myself included, have found themselves asking when they’ve experienced overwhelming anger. You’ve probably heard someone say they “lost control” when they were angry, or maybe you’ve felt it yourself. But could rage actually be tied to something deeper, like trauma? Let’s dive in and uncover the connection between trauma and intense anger.

What is Rage, Really?

First, let’s break down what rage is. Rage is an extreme form of anger, often intense and sudden, where emotions feel out of control. It’s more than just irritation or frustration—it’s explosive, sometimes to the point of physical outbursts. The feeling can come and go quickly, but when it’s experienced, it can feel like a wave, overwhelming and hard to stop.

My Experience with Rage

Honestly, I’ve had my moments with rage. It’s not something I’m proud of, but I’ve definitely felt that heat rising inside me, where my mind can’t catch up with what my body is doing. For a long time, I thought it was just me being overly emotional or maybe too impatient. But after doing some research, I realized there might be more to it—especially when it comes to the idea that rage can sometimes stem from past trauma.

Trauma and Its Hidden Impact

Trauma is often associated with deeply distressing or disturbing events that disrupt your emotional, psychological, and physical state. It could be anything from childhood abuse, loss of a loved one, an accident, or even a significant life event that left a scar. But trauma isn’t always visible, and sometimes, the response isn’t about sadness or fear—it’s about anger.

How Trauma Links to Anger

Trauma doesn’t just stay locked away in the past. It manifests itself in the present, sometimes in unexpected ways. Rage can be a physical manifestation of unresolved trauma. When someone has experienced overwhelming stress or pain, their emotional response might not be sadness or withdrawal; instead, it may be anger. The body and brain, still dealing with the trauma, react by releasing this built-up tension in the form of rage.

The Brain’s Response to Trauma

Actually, this is something I learned while talking to a friend who works as a therapist. The brain processes trauma in a way that can trigger a fight or flight response, and for some people, this response can evolve into rage. If the brain feels threatened, even if the threat is not immediate, it can trigger an emotional outburst like rage. Over time, the body begins to associate certain triggers with danger or pain, and the response becomes automatic.

Rage as a Coping Mechanism

When you think about it, rage could be a coping mechanism. It’s a way to protect yourself from vulnerability or fear that stems from unresolved trauma. For example, if someone was emotionally or physically abused, they might associate vulnerability with being hurt. The body then uses anger, or rage, as a defense mechanism. It’s almost like putting up a shield—but one that’s jagged and dangerous.

The Role of Unhealed Wounds

I’ve seen this in people I know—when something happens that reminds them of a painful past experience, they erupt in anger. It’s not the situation itself that’s triggering the response, but the unresolved emotions from the trauma that come flooding back. They lash out because it’s easier than confronting the hurt and the fear buried underneath.

Can Rage Be Healed?

Well, here’s the tough part: rage doesn’t just go away. It's not something you can wish away or suppress. Healing from trauma—and the rage that can result from it—requires time, effort, and often professional help.

Seeking Therapy and Self-Work

Honestly, for me, the idea of working through anger management or trauma therapy seemed daunting at first. But through therapy and self-reflection, I’ve learned that dealing with the root cause of rage—whether it’s trauma, fear, or unresolved anger—can transform how you react. It’s not about eliminating the anger entirely but learning to channel it constructively.

Techniques That Help

• Mindfulness: Being present and aware of what’s happening in your body can help you recognize when anger is rising before it turns into rage.

• Breathing exercises: Taking a few deep breaths in moments of heightened emotions can be surprisingly effective.

• Journaling: Sometimes, writing down what triggered the anger helps release the emotions in a healthier way.

Conclusion: Rage Can Be Linked to Trauma

So, is rage a trauma response? Yes, it often is. Rage is not just about losing control—it’s a signal that something deeper is at play. Whether it’s unresolved trauma or a long-standing emotional wound, rage can be a physical and emotional reaction to something you haven’t fully processed.

Dealing with it requires patience, self-awareness, and often the help of a professional. But remember, you are not your rage. It’s a reaction that can be healed and understood. Have you ever experienced rage linked to a past event? How did you manage it? Let’s talk about it—sometimes, just sharing can be the first step to healing.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.