Anger Management Assessment

This anger management assessment will show your patterns of escalation and your overall anger reaction tendencies.

Based on Dr. DeFoore's 38 years of professional experience in the field of counseling and psychology, the results will help you understand your anger issues at a deeper level while giving you steps to heal and improve yourself.

Here's how this anger assessment works:

1. Complete the assessment by clicking the "Start" button below.
2. Answer all of the questions.
3. Read the results page carefully, and follow all of the links provided as recommendations for anger management help.
4. You can also read over the 10 levels of anger escalation below on this page, as well as the results categories.

Ten Levels Of Anger Escalation

I encourage you to take the anger management assessment above--just click on the "Start" button. Meanwhile, whether you take the assessment or not, here is an overview of the levels:

Level 1. This where you're cool, calm and collected. You may or may not be real happy, but you're definitely not angry, anxious or irritated. If this was you most of the time, you wouldn't even be reading about this anger management assessment.

Level 2. You're feeling slightly irritated or agitated, but it's not enough to bother you or affect your behavior. You can see the big picture when you think about your problems. It is hard to relax with the agitation you are experiencing, however.

Level 3. The irritation and frustration is pretty high, and it's just starting to affect your behavior. It is almost possible to relax with the agitation you are experiencing. It's getting harder to see the big picture and have empathy with other people.

Level 4. People are really starting to bother you, and you have very little patience, although you usually don't say anything. You are still stuffing your anger, and you don't feel settled at all. You can still focus enough to make good decisions.

Level 5. Now you are ready to yell at that other driver, or call the people you're mad at and give them a piece of your mind. But you don't act on the feelings. You're getting short and irritable with others, but you're still trying to be friendly. You're starting to have tunnel vision.

Level 6. At this level, it's just not fun anymore. You are frustrated and angry with yourself and pretty much everybody else. Others are starting to notice that something is wrong, as you become more short-tempered and irritable. Your thinking may not be as clear as it usually is.

Level 7. You are thinking stuff like, "This has to stop." "I can't take this any more." "I'm going to show them they can't do this to me." "They'll get what's coming to them." You have racing thoughts, and you're very tense. You keep thinking the same things over and over. That's why you decided to take this anger management assessment.

Level 8. Now you're coming up with a plan. You can't take it any more, so you're going to take action. You feel like you have no choice, because something has to change. You're not thinking clearly, and even though you know it might backfire, you're thinking about getting even and retaliating.

Level 9. Now you're taking action. This is where the yelling, threatening and intimidating starts. You're thinking about what you can do to the other person(s) to show them how angry you are, and how wrong they are. Your emotions are ruling you at this level. You really need some anger management help, but you probably don't know it.

Level 10. At this level, you are dangerous to yourself and/or others. You are in a fight-or-flight mode, and your primitive reptilian brain has taken over. You have tunnel vision and single-minded thought. All you can think about is how to make the pain stop. You feel helpless, but you can't stand that feeling. You are desperate. Your anger is doing your thinking for you. This would be a good time to read these healthy alternatives to getting revenge.

What Does Your Anger Management Assessment Tell You?

• Mild Anger Issues: At your best you are at level 1-2, and at your worst you jump up to a level 5-7. Most of the time you are around a 2 or 3. A few times in your life you may have reached levels 8-10, but you're determined never to go there again. Completing this anger management assessment, reading and CDs may be enough to help you reach your goals. Basic stress management techniques can also be very helpful at this point. Be aware of the signs of depression at this level, because depression can sometimes accompany mild anger issues. You will probably know it if you need anger management counseling, and you may also benefit from the the Basic Anger Management Program.


• Serious Anger Issues: At your best you are at level 1-4, and at your worst you jump pretty fast to level 8 or 9. Most of the time you are between 3 and 6. You have reached level 10 a few times, but usually you can prevent that. You haven't hurt any one physically, but you are definitely hurting others with your words and actions, as in the form of emotional abuse. You need professional help in addition to reading and listening to CD programs on different types of anger management activity. This anger management assessment is just your first step. Take action now.


• Extreme Anger Issues: When you are at your best you are around levels 2-5, and you can go to level 10 in a heart beat. You spend most of your time around levels 4-7. Your anger is in charge, so much that sometimes you don't even know the difference between your anger and yourself. You are probably in some abusive relationships, in which you are the abuser. Your loved ones, friends and maybe even strangers are not safe around you, emotionally or physically. You may be showing the symptoms of Intermittent Explosive Disorder, or anger addiction. You might also be bullying others, whether you know it or not. Your anger is running your life. Now it is time to sign up for an Anger Management Class. If you are unsure about this, read this anger management book and/or listen to one of these anger management CD programs. If you don't do anything else, use our contact form to inquire about a free consultation or to schedule an anger management counseling session!


• Emotionally Healthy: At your best you are at a level 0. At your worst you go to a level 2-4, but when you do you use your anger to fuel effective action. Most of the time you are level 0-1. You are apparently doing a good job in managing your anger, and hopefully you’re experiencing the health and happiness you want as a result. Keep up the good work…and if you want to be even happier and healthier, you may want to practice these anger management techniques. You may also want to improve your marriage or learn to forgive if you've been having trouble in your relationships. Whatever is going on in your life, you will benefit from learning the art of gratitude, appreciation and optimism. You are a fortunate person in many ways. Be sure you pay attention to your blessings, and remember them every day. You are worthy of a good life!

Wait! You're not done!

Completing this anger management assessment has increased your awareness, and that's a good thing. And, awareness is the first step to change, but it doesn't get the job done. Show your courage now, by sharing your own ideas on anger management and using your good heart and intelligent mind to be your own anger management resource!

Are you feeling anxious or some anger and depression about all of this anger management assessment stuff? Get lots of free help in dealing with anxiety at Sound-Mind.org, or take this quick and easy depression test.

Now that you have done this anger management assessment, it is time to take action!

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Have A Question Or Story?

Here's your chance to ask Dr. DeFoore about your situation. It can be about your anger, somebody else's anger, or about grief, road rage, anxiety or depression. Tell your story with as much detail as possible, and he will give you some free counseling.

Feel free to also review our FAQ page (frequently asked questions), to see if your question has already been answered.

Then, if selected, the results will be a web page on this site that will help others! So, there you go--help and be helped! By the way, you can be anonymous if you choose, but if you include your first name, it's better.

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