Midlife Project Manager with Sudden Explosive Anger and Irritability - Is Burnout or Something Else the Cause?
I am a 42-year-old man, and for the past eight months, I have been experiencing intense anger and irritability that seems to come out of nowhere. At work, I am a project manager, and I have always been known for my calm demeanor. But lately, small delays or minor mistakes from my team members send me into a rage. I feel my heart racing, my fists clenching, and I have to leave the room to avoid exploding. At home, I snap at my wife and kids over trivial things, like leaving a light on or not putting a dish away. I have no history of mental health issues, and my physical exams show nothing abnormal. I am wondering if this could be related to burnout syndrome, as I have been working long hours and taking on extra responsibilities. Or could it be something else, like depression? I also noticed that my anger spikes during the week leading up to my wife's menstrual cycle, but she says it is not me, it is her. Could this be premenstrual dysphoric disorder affecting me indirectly? I am desperate for answers because my relationships are suffering, and I am afraid I will lose my job if I cannot control my temper. I have tried deep breathing and exercise, but nothing seems to help. Can you give me some strategies to understand and manage this anger before it destroys my life?