Identify When You Get Mad or Angry
(Self-test — What makes you angry?)
Doug Britton, MFT
www.dougbrittonbooks.com
Introduction — What makes you angry?
The first step in overcoming anger is usually identifying what makes you mad. This self-test is part of a series of free online studies on grumpiness, irritation, and anger. Feel free to print it, then use it to evaluate your anger patterns. After answering the questions, read the other online studies for ideas about how to overcome anger.
(The following anger questionnaire is adapted from the book Victory over Grumpiness, Irritation, and Anger.)
Identify your anger patterns
1. I get upset when:
__ I’m driving and someone cuts in front of me.
__ I’m driving and someone is a backseat driver.
__ I’m a passenger and someone drives too slowly.
__ I’m a passenger and someone takes a different route than I would.
__ I’m a passenger and someone gets lost.
__ I’m a passenger and someone parks in a different place than I would choose.
__ My spouse lets the car run out of gas.
__ My spouse doesn’t load the dishwasher right.
__ My spouse criticizes the way I load the dishwasher.
__ My spouse weighs too much.
__ My spouse says I weigh too much.
__ My spouse is late getting ready for church.
__ My spouse comes home late.
__ My spouse spends too much money.
__ My spouse forgets something I said.
__ My spouse is clumsy or has an accident.
__ My spouse complains or worries.
__ My spouse or my children are noisy when I am trying to sleep.
__ My children are disrespectful.
__ My children fight.
__ My boss makes stupid decisions.
__ My boss gives me too much to do.
__ People are late.
__ Someone says mean things to me.
__ Someone takes advantage of me.
__ Someone ignores me.
__ Someone makes fun of me.
__ Someone accuses me falsely.
__ I think God treated me unfairly.
__ I think I do more than my share.
__ I am unappreciated.
__ Someone breaks a promise.
__ Someone lies to me.
__ Someone lies about me.
__ I walk into our home and it is messy.
__ We are out of milk or other items.
__ Our TV breaks down.
__ My favorite sports team loses.
__ A politician does something wrong.
__ I don’t like a sermon.
__ A pastor or board member ignores me.
__ Other __________________________
__ Other __________________________
__ Other __________________________
2. When angry, I sometimes:
__ Yell.
__ Raise my voice.
__ Get irritated.
__ Am upset or grumpy.
__ Make sarcastic comments.
__ Put other people down.
__ Am impatient.
__ Withdraw or pout.
__ Feel bitter.
__ Feel resentful.
__ Feel sorry for myself.
__ Dwell on angry thoughts.
__ Other __________________________
__ Other __________________________
__ Other __________________________
3. Overall, I am upset an average of ______ minutes per day
Related: More Bible studies on anger, grumpiness, and irritation
More Bible Studies
Anger Books
Videos on Anger
Victory Over Grumpiness, Irritation, and Anger
Grow in love and patience
Read More
Healing Life’s Hurts
Escape hurt feelings
Read More
Overcoming Jealousy and Insecurity
Learning how to trust God
Read More
Who Do You Think You Are?
See yourself as God sees you
Read More
About Doug Britton, MFT
Doug Britton, Bible-based Marriage and Family Therapist, has helped hundreds of thousands of people as a therapist, clinical director of a treatment center, seminar speaker, radio cohost, and author of over twenty books that show how to apply God's truths in your daily life. (Visit www.dougbrittonbooks.com.)
Copyright © 2020 Doug Britton. Permission granted to print for personal use. (Scripture verses are from the New International Version, copyright © 1984.) See reprint policy.