rabbia

Rabbia, in Italian, translates to anger or rage in English. It is a basic human emotion typically triggered by perceived injustice, threat, or frustration. The term derives from Latin rabies, meaning madness or fury, and is used to denote intense emotional arousal rather than a mild irritant. Anger can vary in intensity from irritation to furious outbursts and is experienced across cultures and individuals.

Physiologically, rabbia involves the brain’s emotion systems and autonomic arousal. The amygdala plays a key role in rapid threat assessment, while the prefrontal cortex helps regulate response. This leads to increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. How a person appraises a situation—whether as a threat, injustice, or loss—significantly shapes the intensity and duration of the anger.

Expression of rabbia is culturally and individually patterned. It can be outward, including yelling or aggression, or inward, such as rumination or suppression. Anger can have constructive outcomes, such as asserting boundaries or enabling rapid problem solving, but chronic or uncontrolled anger is linked to health problems, impaired decision making, and damaged relationships.

Management strategies aim to modulate both the emotional experience and its expression. Techniques include cooling-off periods, cognitive reappraisal, problem-solving, and assertive, nonviolent communication. Behavioral therapies and specialized anger-management programs can help individuals with frequent or intense anger. Mindfulness, relaxation training, and stress reduction also contribute to better emotional regulation.

See also: anger, temper, emotional regulation, aggression, anger management.