Are You an Explosive or Implosive Angry Person?

One day in my adolescence, I entered a bookstore in Kathmandu, eager to buy a novel. As I browsed the shelves, two hands suddenly grabbed me by the neck and shoved me out—without explanation. Looking back, I suspect it was my unimpressive appearance. I was skinny, poorly dressed, and burdened by a deep-seated inferiority complex. That moment humiliated me, reinforcing my self-doubt and igniting an anger that had nowhere to go but inward.

Then, in school, a classmate beat me to ask out a girl I liked. I was furious—not at him, but at myself. I buried my rage, letting it fester until it erupted at a group of girls who had made an innocent joke. “You bloody bitches!” I shouted, shocking them—and myself. Yet, oddly, I felt lighter. Expressing my anger changed how people saw me. For better or worse, I had found a release.

Suppressing Anger: A Dangerous Gamble "Temper is the one thing you cannot get rid of by losing it." – Anger Management (2003) We often suppress anger—husbands afraid of being labeled ‘narrow-minded,’ wives bottling up frustrations, men pretending to be liberal while seething with jealousy. But suppressed anger is like a time bomb. It’s better to speak up early than to explode disastrously later. If you don’t want your wife dancing with other men at a party, say so.

If you like someone, tell them. Rejection is temporary; unexpressed feelings can fester into something far worse. Life is too short to play the role of a doormat.

Explosive vs. Implosive Anger? There are two kinds of angry people: explosive and implosive. Explosive anger is the customer yelling at a cashier over a coupon. Implosive anger is the cashier who stays silent for years—until one day, they snap and shoot everyone in the store (Anger Management). Which One Are You? I was lucky to be explosive. My cousin, on the other hand, was implosive. He appeared calm, forgiving—even too good-natured. But deep down, he resented his brothers and other families for being more successful. That buried anger led to depression and a lifelong struggle with mental illness.

Another implosive, angry man I knew was a handsome, well-off friend with a minor disability. He tolerated everything—including his friends dancing with his new bride at his wedding. Outwardly, he smiled. Inside, he seethed. That unspoken rage drove him to drugs and, ultimately, his demise.

Nepal’s Implosive Anger: A National Crisis- Nepalese are historically perceived as peace-loving and submissive, earning admiration from expatriates and tourists. But our silence has a dark side. For centuries, we tolerated oppression, only to erupt in violent insurgencies. This isn’t just politics—it’s psychology. Years of suppressed rage exploded into ruthless conflict, killing thousands of Nepalese during the Maoist insurgency. Before we focus on roads and bridges, Nepal and its international allies must prioritize mental well-being. A country’s progress isn’t just about infrastructure but about healing minds—a Final Thought: Stand Up for Yourself. Watching the movie "Anger Management" rekindled memories that shaped my understanding of anger.

If this article has piqued your interest, watch it—you’ll learn a lot. The takeaway? Say what you feel. Do what makes you happy. Prioritizing others’ happiness over your own is a recipe for resentment. Life rewards those who stand up for themselves.

By Rajeeb Satyal