Anger and depression have a volatile relationship. Depression can fuel anger, and anger can act as an outlet for uncontrolled depression. And the angrier a depressed person becomes, the more depressed he may feel. According to researchers, anger and depression activate adjacent areas of the brain, share the same neurological pathways and are regulated by the same neurotransmitters, such as serotonin.Numerous risk factors can lead to simultaneous feelings of depression and anger in susceptible individuals. Some of these risk factors include: * Heredity. The tendency towards depression AND uncontrolled anger IS related to genetic predispositions. They don't determine your fate, but can alert you to your risk and make you more vigilant about avoiding potential triggers of both depression and anger.* Poor health. The frustrations and fears associated with poor health, plus the lack of physical activity that often goes along with it, can fuel feelings of anger and depression that may be brewing inside a person. * Environmental factors. This includes loneliness, lack of support system, unemployment and debt. No mystery why these can worsen depression or cause anger.* Drug and alcohol abuse. Artificial stimulants and depressants may affect the part of the brain that triggers feelings of depression and anger. It turns out that what people THINK will provide relief only makes them feel worse in the long run. Fortunately, the cycle of depression and anger can be broken with the right treatment, which may include anti-depressants combined with stress-relief techniques, lifestyle modification and talk therapy. For more information on how to manage depression, check out other videos in this series.