Show:
Anger Triggers
Bipolar Basics
Coping & Regulation
Thoughts & Reactions
Recovery & Support
100

A person, situation, thought, or event that increases anger is called this.

What is a trigger?

100

Bipolar disorder involves changes in mood that may include periods of depression and periods of what elevated state?

Mania or hypomania.

100

Name one healthy coping skill someone can use when anger begins rising.

Possible answers

  • Take a break
  • Walk
  • Slow breathing
  • Grounding
  • Talk to someone
  • Write feelings down
  • Exercise
  • Count before responding
100

True or false:


Feeling angry and acting aggressively are the same thing.


False.

Anger is an emotion; aggression is a behavior.

100

Name one person someone could contact when they notice mood or anger symptoms increasing.

Possible answers

  • Therapist
  • MHA
  • PSC/case manager
  • Family member
  • Peer
  • Friend
  • Prescriber
  • Treatment team member
200

True or false:


Anger can sometimes be a secondary emotion covering up something else.


True.

Possible underlying emotions:

  • hurt
  • fear
  • embarrassment
  • rejection
  • sadness
  • frustration
200

Name one possible sign that someone may be becoming unusually elevated or activated.

Possible answers

  • Needing much less sleep
  • Racing thoughts
  • Increased energy
  • Talking much more
  • Increased impulsivity
  • Feeling unusually powerful or confident
  • Increased goal-directed activity 
200

Why is taking a pause during an argument often more effective than continuing while highly angry?

Because a pause can reduce emotional intensity and make thoughtful communication easier.

200

Someone thinks:


“They did that on purpose just to make me mad.”


What thinking error might be happening?

Assuming motives / mind-reading.

200

True or false:


Asking for additional help when symptoms increase means recovery is failing.


False.

300

Jordan is hungry, exhausted, and already stressed when someone makes a rude comment. Why might Jordan react more strongly than usual?

Because existing stress and unmet physical needs can lower tolerance and make anger easier to trigger.

300

Why is sleep especially important to monitor for someone living with bipolar disorder?

Because changes in sleep can sometimes be an early warning sign of mood changes and can also affect mood stability.

300

Someone notices racing thoughts, irritability, and poor sleep. Name two healthy actions they could take.

Possible answers

Any two:

  • Tell treatment team
  • Prioritize sleep routine
  • Reduce stimulation
  • Follow treatment plan
  • Avoid impulsive decisions
  • Reach out for support
  • Track symptoms
  • Maintain regular routine
300

Rewrite this thought in a more balanced way:


“Nobody ever respects me.”



“I feel disrespected in this situation, but that does not mean nobody ever respects me.”


Accept similar balanced responses.

300

Why is it useful to identify early warning signs before symptoms become severe?

Because earlier action gives someone more choices and may help prevent further escalation.

400

What is the difference between a trigger and a warning sign?

A trigger is something that sets off or increases anger, while a warning sign is a change in the body, thoughts, or behavior showing that anger is building.

Example:

  • Trigger: criticism
  • Warning sign: clenched jaw
400

True or false:


Feeling energetic or having a good day automatically means someone is manic.


False.

A normal good mood is not the same as a manic episode. Patterns, severity, duration, functioning, and other symptoms matter.

400

What is the difference between calming down and avoiding a problem?

Calming down helps someone regulate so they can return to the issue; avoidance means repeatedly escaping the issue without addressing it.

400

Why can thoughts like “always,” “never,” and “everyone” intensify anger?

Because extreme language can make a situation feel larger, more permanent, and more personal than it may actually be.

400

What is one reason routines can be helpful for both anger management and bipolar recovery?

Possible answers

  • Reduces chaos
  • Supports sleep
  • Creates predictability
  • Helps medication consistency
  • Reduces stress
  • Makes changes easier to notice
500

Maria says:


“People disrespect me constantly.”


Name one question that could help Maria identify the actual trigger more specifically.

Possible answers

  • “What exactly happened?”
  • “What was said?”
  • “What part felt disrespectful?”
  • “What happened right before you got angry?”
  • “Was it the tone, the words, or what you thought they meant?”
500

Someone says:


“I only slept three hours, but I don’t feel tired at all and I have a hundred new ideas.”


Why might this be worth paying attention to?

Because decreased need for sleep plus unusually high energy and racing ideas can be warning signs of an elevated mood episode.

500

Sam is extremely angry and wants to send several hostile text messages. Name three things Sam could do before responding.

Possible answers

Any three:

  • Put phone down
  • Take space
  • Walk
  • Breathe
  • Write but don’t send
  • Talk to neutral support
  • Wait until calmer
  • Re-read later
  • Ask what outcome they want
500

Alex is angry after being interrupted and thinks:


“They think I’m stupid.”


What are two questions Alex could ask before reacting?

Possible answers

  • “Do I know that for a fact?”
  • “What else could explain it?”
  • “Could they just be impatient?”
  • “What exactly happened?”
  • “What response would help instead of make this worse?”
500

Someone notices several days of worsening irritability, very little sleep, impulsive behavior, and conflict with others. Self-care strategies are not helping enough. What is the most appropriate next step?

Increase professional support and inform the treatment team rather than relying only on self-management.