This is something I don't see talked about a lot, and that seems to be a taboo topic even in support groups. Self harm is often talked about, but physical aggression is not.

I have thoughts of physical aggression when I am in an episode in front of the person involved. Typically, this will be paired with gritting my teeth, grimacing, groaning, digging my nails into my skin, and extremely intense eye contact. 

My coping mechanism to end this behavior is to immediately separate myself from the person and force myself to do something eappropriate that I enjoy for 30 minutes or until I calm. 

I can thankfully say that I have never acted out an aggressive urge. However, in my worst years I vocalized and wrote down threats which is still very bad and very illegal. This was the first thing I learned to stop doing, even when I am venting in a safe environment. I would like to take a second to mention something I learned the very hard way. If an accusation is brought against you in a legal capacity, the things you have written in a therapy journal can be used against you. 

I am ashamed to say that I have scared others with this behavior, and I am dead serious when I say this was the most important thing I had to work on. Aggression was a significantly higher concern for me than suicide and self harm because of the social ramifications. Suicide attempts and self harm are not illegal, and even though you may be non consensually committed to an inpatient treatment facility, you will not have a crimial record for the test of your life. 

So, has anyone else struggled with or overcome aggression?