Anger Management

Anger is "an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage," 

 

Like other emotions, it is accompanied by physiological and biological changes; when you get angry, your heart rate and blood pressure go up, as do the levels of your energy hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.

 

The instinctive, natural way to express anger is to respond aggressively.

 

Anger is a natural, adaptive response to threats; it inspires powerful, often aggressive, feelings and behaviors, which allow us to fight and to defend ourselves when we are attacked. 

 

A certain amount of anger, therefore, is necessary to our survival.

 

On the other hand, we can't physically lash out at every person or object that irritates or annoys us.  

 

People use a variety of both conscious and unconscious processes to deal with their angry feelings.

 

The three main approaches to anger:

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Expressing your angry feelings in an assertive—not aggressive—manner is the healthiest way to express anger. 

 

To do this, you have to learn how to make clear what your needs are, and how to get them met, without hurting others

 

Suppressing. This happens when you hold in your anger, stop thinking about it, and focus on something positive. 

 

The aim is to inhibit or suppress your anger and convert it into more constructive behavior. The danger in this type of response is that if it isn't allowed outward expression, your anger can turn inward—on yourself. 

 

Anger turned inward may cause hypertension, high blood pressure, or depression.

  

Unexpressed Anger Can Create Other Problems:

 

Passive-Aggressive Behavior 

Perpetually Cynical and Hostile Personality

 

Calm Down Inside. This means not just controlling your outward behavior, but also controlling your internal responses, taking steps to lower your heart rate, calm yourself down, and let the feelings subside.