Anger

Anger is a basic human emotion and constitutes a physical and mental response to a threat or harm done in the past. It takes different forms and it ranges from irritation to blinding rage or even resentment.

We express anger in two ways: we externalise it and the aggression is evident or we internalise it and we don’t show it but we could be seething inside, becoming passive-aggressive.

Some of the associated problems with anger are:

• strained or difficult inter-personal relationships

• inability to focus

• obsessive negative thinking

• physical health problems

There are two ways in which we respond when we experience anger:

• the healthy way, when we use problem solving behaviour (i.e. assertiveness, tactical withdrawal, mindfulness, etc.)

• the unhealthy way, when we use damaging behaviours in response to anger (i.e. verbal or physical aggression, self-harm, social withdrawal, etc.)

Treatment for anger is not suppressing anger, but learning how to control it and this involves identifying our triggers, anticipating them, reducing our physical arousal, working with our challenging thoughts and beliefs and eventually changing our behaviour.

Our aim is to respond to situations, not to react to situations.

Keep on Top Of Your World.