why do i feel the need to smash or punch things when im upset ?
25 Answers
Moderated by Joe Nelson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Doctor of Social Work
Updated: Jul 28, 2020
happytohelpyou99
on
Dec 15, 2015
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you are currently experiencing a fit of anger or rage and see this need as a form of emotional release.You lack emotional control and hope to feel better. :( but please stay calm you're only engaging in self destruction chat me up if needed!
Greatlistener87
on
Nov 9, 2015
Managing Emotions Expert
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When you are upset with something that is out of your control, you will feel like you need to destroy anything and everything that you can control and desroy just to feel like your in control again.
Anonymous
on
Jul 25, 2016
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Because I would rather harm an inanimate object than a person. Sometimes the frustration Or anger I feel is too intense to put into words.
sadbutbeautiful1
on
Jun 17, 2015
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Anger is a common way that sadness manifests in the human body. The best thing to do is try to get your energy out in a constructive way. Try running or working out, writing, drawing, watching tv, listening to music, even crying can make you feel better.
earthwalker3
on
Feb 26, 2015
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You might just need something to take out your emotions on which is perfectly okay and can be healthy when you direct those emotions into something positive. For example, some people like to walk away from the situation and use all that fuel to power away for a run! This gives the person time to reflect back and time to calm down. There are hundreds of other methods you can try! You can even use a punching bag instead of a random object. Is there anything you can think of that you could try instead?
spadeypoo17
on
Feb 25, 2015
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because when you hit things this relives stress as you are angry and there is no other way to express this
Anonymous
on
Sep 20, 2016
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You might feel a release by smashing or punching something. It may help channel the anger allowing you to become calmer.
Loki1216
on
Apr 4, 2017
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I feel that the urge to punch or break things when anger just comes from your innermost rage, the satisfaction of control, of you being able to say "This thing" no longer has the right to exist, it emboldens and empowers the person. At least to some extent.
lifespan
on
May 16, 2017
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I honestly don't get violent but I do lash out, sometimes at the very top of my lungs! I heard that how we release pent up emotions, but it just makes me madder to.the point of exhaustion.
Maybe that's it: we're tiring ourselves out to the point of exhaustion/pain to drown out our emotional distress
Anonymous
on
Nov 27, 2015
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This may be your method of expression or release. When you bottle things up or keep everything on the inside, you get an explosive reaction.
Anonymous
on
Apr 14, 2015
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you want to get out you anger that has been bottle up with in, and let it go, and hitting sometimes makes people feel better
JustWorldFallacies
on
Nov 7, 2017
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I often feel the need to break something when I feel out of control, like no matter what I do nothing changes. Even though breaking something is a negative change, I do feel like I have an impact on my environment. A healthier alternative may be to clean or organize and see a physical change that way, as long as these aren't to excess. Another reason I sometimes feel like I want to break something is to redirect anger I have towards a person or situation. In that case, exercise might help. It will release physical energy in a non harmful way.
ThePhoenixAlwaysRisesAgain
on
May 1, 2015
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It is your way of venting. The adrenaline is building up and you are releasing it physically. It is common.
CreamofYes
on
Mar 22, 2016
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My best guess is you have feelings you usually bottle up or pent up. Finding a way to healthily let out whatever emotions you're feeling would be a good way to limit the need to smash things.
Paige81
on
May 23, 2017
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I too have felt the need to smash or punch things when I'm upset. Generally, when I'm no longer upset and can objectively look back at the situation and emotion to identify what was going on before I felt so upset, what happened while I was upset (did I smash something) and how I felt after my reaction. Reflecting on my own circumstances I seem to reach that point of anger and frustration when I feel I have no control over what is going on and the emotion just overwhelms my senses.
Fuzzylittlemango
on
Jan 11, 2016
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Sometimes we all have trouble with anger when we are feeling upset, it is the sign of frustration not being able to get released in a positive way. A way to overcome this is to indulge in new hobbies, perhaps something creative, a sport or martial art. Art and physical therapy are great ways of channeling negative emotions and turning them into a positive outlet for life's frustrations.
Anonymous
on
Jun 1, 2015
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Why would I punch something that has nothing to do with the situation? I f I break stuff I just lose valuable assets in the house and my problem will still be there!
Annata8
on
Feb 15, 2016
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You're angry. You're frustrated. You're upset. That's why. Ask yourself the opposite question as why do I feel I need to break grandma's china. The trick is to recognise that you are angry or whatever so that you do not hurt something more valuable than grandma's priceless tea set.
JK8287
on
May 17, 2016
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It's not so bad, there's just energy in you that wants to move around -- that's all anger is, energy. Just don't break anything or hurt yourself -- punching a pillow or kicking your feet in the air is just fine
MarcusFalls
on
Aug 2, 2016
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Sadness causes emotional pain in our mind and anger is the evolutionary response to pain. There is a term called redirected attack in behavioural sciences. Its common reaction of mammals, animals do it too, just like us. Basically, when we get angry at another person, we have the urge to attack them in some way.
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