Anger is a natural, healthy emotion that is experienced by everyone. It can provide us with the incentive to seek out changes in certain areas of our lives, to ensure our needs are being met, or to address perceived injustices directed against us. However, intense, consistent anger can become problematic, causing difficulties at work, home or school, and can exist along with feelings of shame, guilt, sadness or fear. This intense anger can be triggered by a specific situation or person, or it can build up from past hurts or wrongs; alternately, there may also be no trigger at all. Some of the behavioural reactions to anger may include uncontrolled outbursts, yelling/screaming, or physical violence. Individuals with intense anger may also have physical reactions, such as high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, fatigue, or an increased risk of heart disease or stroke.
Treatment for Anger
If you have difficulty managing your anger, psychotherapy can help you gain a better understanding of your emotions and explore potential coping skills and strategies to lessen the impact of your anger. Common psychotherapy approaches include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, or relaxation training.
Additional Resources for Anger Management:
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA):
http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/feeling-angry/#.UvQ4qLSPW_o
American Psychological Association:
http://apa.org/topics/anger/control.aspx#
PBS: This Emotional Life:
