Anger in PTSD
Over the past two decades, considerable research attention has focused on examining the role of anger in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anger has been consistently associated with PTSD across populations, with the strongest associations found in military samples. Anger in PTSD has been associated with aggressive behavior and diminished functioning. There is also evidence that anger can impede successful outcomes from PTSD treatment, accounting for higher levels of dropout and less PTSD symptom reduction. In this chapter, we present research on the associations between PTSD and anger. Several theoretical models are discussed to explain the association between anger and PTSD. We then discuss treatment outcomes and implications, including the effect of anger on PTSD treatment outcomes, the impact of PTSD treatment on anger outcomes, and research on therapies to target anger in PTSD. We end with suggestions for future research.
