It may seem a bit odd to even ask this question. After all, everyone has been angry at multiple times during their lives - maybe within the past week or even today. While we all can relate to what anger feels like, understanding it and being in control of anger expression is more of a challenge.
Because anger often happens so quickly it is easy to forget that it is actually made up of three interconnected elements:
1) Emotional Experience - A set of feelings ranging from slight annoyance, to moderate anger, to rage.
2) Physiological Experience - When angry, the body prepares a response to perceived threats or stressors. Heart rate and blood pressure increases, hot sensations and a reddening of the skin occurs, muscles tighten, jaws and fists are clenched, sweating increases, pacing starts, breathing becomes short and shallow, and numerous other simultaneous physiological reactions take place.
3) Cognitive Experience - Anger is also a mental experience related to the way events are interpreted. Common beliefs include:
I have been treated unfairly or disrespected I am a victim of someone else I shouldn't have to deal with this frustration My reaction is justified…anyone would respond like this Other people are stupid, lazy, worthless, etc. Someone intentionally tried to harm me My point of view is correct - everyone else is wrong
Consequences of Anger
While not all expressions of anger are unjustified, the probability of negative consequences increases dramatically as the anger escalates, becomes more frequent, or more uncontrollable. In such cases anger can contribute to:
Physical injuries (e.g., punching a wall, aggressive driving, fighting)
Health consequences (e.g., high blood pressure, weakened immune system)
Poor marital relationships and divorce
Physical violence and abuse
Lost friendships
Work and career difficulties
Legal problems
Treatment for Anger
Over the years there have been numerous theories and treatments for anger management - some more successful than others. For example, one approach involves the intense expression of anger - yelling, punching pillows, hitting a punching bag until exhausted, etc. While these methods may have a certain intuitive appeal (release the anger here so that it won't be expressed in other situations), there is little scientific research to support the effectiveness of these therapies.
Today, the most common treatment approach for anger management is cognitive-behavioural therapy which may involve:
Identification of specific anger triggers and the common maladaptive responses
Relaxation training
Cognitive interventions to change anger-inciting thought patterns
Social / communication interventions to reduce the possibility of negative interpersonal interactions
Behavioural interventions to reduce actions which are seen as aggressive or confrontational by others
If you or someone you know would like to receive help for dealing with anger (and live in the Halifax area) please feel free to contact me to set up an initial consultation.
