British women are among the angriest in Europe, according to the latest Hologic Global Women's Health Index.

While anger is often viewed as something to suppress or avoid, therapists say it can be an important emotional signal. Rather than seeing it as a problem in itself, they believe it often highlights unmet needs, crossed boundaries and the personal and societal pressures many women are facing.

From financial worries and caring responsibilities to political uncertainty, menopause and the lasting impact of recent years, they say there’s no single reason behind the findings. Instead, understanding what anger is trying to communicate can be the first step towards meaningful change.

Anger is becoming more visible among women

Lina Mookerjee, a therapist with a specialist interest in midlife and menopause, says she has noticed anger becoming more visible in her practice.

"I have noticed that anger is much more visible and an openly expressed emotion amongst women. While it’s often viewed negatively, I see it as an important signal that something matters and that a person has reached the limits of what they can tolerate, ignore, or adapt to."

A growing sense of pressure and powerlessness

Lina believes many women are carrying a significant emotional load.

"Many women are navigating a complex combination of pressures. On a personal level, they may be juggling work, caring responsibilities, financial pressures, relationship difficulties, and concerns about health.

“At a wider societal level, there is growing uncertainty, political instability, economic insecurity, and constant exposure to distressing information through social media and the news."

She adds that anger often emerges when people feel powerless.

"When individuals feel unable to influence their circumstances, anger can become a natural response. It’s often an expression of frustration that things aren’t as they should be.

“In this sense, anger is not the problem; it’s information. It tells us that a boundary has been crossed, a need has gone unmet, or an injustice has been experienced."

Counsellor and psychotherapist Lulu Sinclair says recent years have left many women feeling unsettled.

"There's been the emotional fallout of Brexit, which has produced very strong feelings and rupture on both sides. Then we had Covid which seemed to go on for years and led to a sense of fear and isolation and very real separation."

"Now, the world is continuing in its unsettled state and some women are feeling both helpless and hopeless. Human beings do not like to feel unsettled. We need to have a sense of optimism and hope.”

Midlife, menopause and emotional change

Alongside wider social pressures, Lina says midlife can be a particularly significant period for many women.

"As oestrogen levels decline, women often report feeling less able to placate, accommodate, or minimise their own emotional responses. Feelings that may previously have been suppressed can become more accessible."

She also says this can bring women into closer contact with experiences they may have tolerated for years.

"This can bring women into closer contact with experiences of being overlooked, discounted, taken for granted, or constrained by expectations that no longer feel acceptable."

The stigma surrounding women's anger

Despite growing awareness of mental health, there’s still discomfort around women expressing anger openly.

Lulu says:

"Historically, there's been a problem in accepting anger in women. Women can be 'temperamental', 'emotional' even, 'hysterical' but anger is still a no-no."

"I'm not sure that women do talk openly about such feelings, I think there’s still a sense of shame attached to them."

Lina also points to the impact of wider inequalities.

"For some women, these experiences are compounded by systemic issues such as sexism, racism, ageism, discrimination, and inequality. While these may appear as everyday irritations or 'niggles', their cumulative impact can be significant."

Why anger often appears in therapy

According to our therapists these experiences are frequently reflected in the counselling room, where anger often presents itself in different ways.

Lulu says:

"I can't remember a time when I didn't see anger in the therapy room. It may have arrived disguised as something else – depression for example – but it was almost always lurking."

Social media and a culture of outrage

Lulu believes social media may be contributing to feelings of anger and division.

"Social media is not bringing out the best in us. It seems to be full of young men feeling angry with young women and older women – who have often spoken of feeling unheard – seem to be becoming more invisible."

"With social media particularly and its enthusiasm for increasing the clicks with articles intended to enrage us, we're being encouraged to be angry. But, in the real world, that's frowned upon."

She argues that women deserve greater respect and recognition.

"Women, who make up 51% of the UK’s population, need to be treated with more respect.

“They are subjects, not objects and society needs to remember that. Women, too, need to play their part in being respectful to other women."

Understanding what anger is trying to tell us

The key is not to suppress anger but to understand what it is communicating, says Lina.

"The first step in managing anger is awareness. Rather than asking, 'How do I get rid of this feeling?', a more useful question may be, 'What is this anger trying to tell me?'

“Understanding the source of anger can help people identify what needs attention,” she adds.

"While we may not always be able to change the systems around us, we can strengthen our sense of agency, dignity, and self-respect. This includes recognising our choices, setting clearer boundaries, and deciding what we are and aren’t willing to accept."

Turning anger into meaningful change

Lulu believes anger can become a powerful catalyst for change when it’s acknowledged rather than ignored.

"Anger is useful as an energising tool. It can help someone move forward where previously they might have felt stuck. It can lead to depression if left unattended or unremarked."

"It's important to accept anger as a legitimate emotion. If you feel angry, acknowledge it and don't worry about whether it's an 'acceptable' emotion for you to have, there's no right or wrong on emotions so don't try and clamp down on a feeling about which you believe you should feel uncomfortable."

She encourages women to slow down and reflect before reacting.

"Allow time to see what the anger brings up, reflect on it and maybe write down some important points. Take your time. This part particularly matters. It allows you to consider before acting – or reacting – and that's where your rational thinking comes in."

"Anger can seem frightening and as if we're in danger of losing control. Don't fear it, we're not. Use that feeling to work out what may help you feel better. It can be a great guide."

Ultimately, both therapists see anger as an emotion that can lead to greater self-awareness and positive change.

"When understood in this way, anger can become not simply an emotion to manage, but a catalyst for meaningful change," says Lina.

To find a therapist who can help you with feelings of anger visit our Therapist Directory