Assessment Category
Anger & Aggression
These assessments explore patterns related to anger intensity, irritability, hostility, and aggressive behavior. Anger itself is a normal emotion. These measures are designed to help you determine whether anger is frequent, intense, difficult to regulate, or leading to interpersonal or behavioral consequences.
You may consider this category if you:
- Feel easily irritated or “on edge”
- Experience anger that escalates quickly
- Regret things you say or do when upset
- Notice conflict in relationships related to anger
- Feel that anger may be masking other emotions (e.g., sadness, shame)
If your primary concern is emotional instability across many emotions (not just anger), the Borderline & Emotion Dysregulation category may be more relevant. If anger is occurring in the context of trauma reminders, you may also consider the Trauma & Dissociation category.
These assessments can help clarify the intensity, frequency, and behavioral impact of anger, but they do not provide a standalone diagnosis on their own.
Buss & Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ)
What this looks at
This measure evaluates different components of aggression, including physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger (emotional intensity), and hostility (cynical or mistrustful thinking).
You may want to take this if:
- Want a broad overview of how anger shows up for you
- Are curious whether your anger is primarily emotional, verbal, physical, or cognitive
- Experience chronic irritability or mistrust
You may not need this if:
You are only concerned about short-term situational anger, or you want a very brief screening tool (see DAR-5). This is a more comprehensive measure of aggression traits.
Start Assessment →Dimensions of Anger Reactions (DAR-5)
What this looks at
The DAR-5 is a brief screening tool that measures the frequency, intensity, and impact of anger reactions.
You may want to take this if:
- Want a quick assessment of whether anger is clinically significant
- Notice anger interfering with work, school, or relationships
- Prefer a short screening before exploring more detailed measures
You may not need this if:
You want a detailed breakdown of aggression types (see Buss & Perry). This is a concise measure designed to identify problematic anger patterns.
Start Assessment →IBR-MOAS (Modified Overt Aggression Scale – Interview/Behavior Rating)
What this looks at
This measure evaluates the presence and severity of overt aggressive behaviors, including verbal aggression, property damage, self-directed aggression, and physical aggression toward others.
You may want to complete this if:
- There have been observable aggressive incidents
- You want to assess the severity and behavioral impact of aggression
- A caregiver or clinician is helping evaluate safety concerns
You may not need this if:
Your concerns are limited to internal feelings of anger without aggressive behavior. This measure focuses on observable behaviors rather than emotional experience alone.
Start Assessment →