Anger is a normal, though sometime unwanted or irrational, emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. Anger experts describe the emotion as a primary, natural emotion which evolved as instinctive response to threats. Some anger is necessary for our survival. Anger can be a good thing. However, if a person feels unable to control anger, it can cause problems by affecting their quality of life.
Causes of Anger
There may be several reasons of People getting angry, and everyone may experience anger differently. Generally, anger is used as a way to help protect family members, secure or protect rights, protect against loss of goods, or as a response to threats. Some other anger may be irrational like having problem in controlling anger or even accepting that you are angry.
Some common causes of anger includes:
- Using Drugs like tobacco, alcohol, opiods , cocaine etc
- Sadness due to loss of family members or loved one.
- Hunger
- Injustice and humiliation
- Poor interpersonal skills
- Tiredness
- Sexual frustration
- Stress, unrealistic demands, things beyond immediate control, money problem
- Being in pain or illness
Types of Anger
Some widely accepted forms of anger include:
- Chronic anger can impact the immune system and lead in causing other mental disorders
- Passive anger is difficult to identify and don’t always come across as anger
- Overwhelmed anger is the result of such over demanding situations arising in life which too much for an individual to cope with
- Self-inflicted anger is caused by the feeling of guilt and is self-oriented
- Judgmental anger is because of feeling of hatred and is directed toward others
- Volatile anger involves random attacks of excessive or violent anger
Unhelpful ways to deal with anger
People express their anger differently. Many of them express anger in inappropriate ways, including:
Anger explosion – People who have very little control over their anger they tend to explode in rages even extending it to physical abuse or violence. In situations when a person is not able to control temper, family and friends isolate themselves from him.
Anger repression –Some People may consider that anger is an inappropriate or ‘bad’ emotion, and may choose to suppress it completely. However, its also considered unhealthy and may result into depression and anxiety.
Suggestions for long-term Anger management
Well-managed anger can be a useful emotion and it is only possible with long-term anger management methods. Some of them includes:
- Recognizing the warning signs by maintaining diary of changes in the body, emotions, and behaviors that result from anger can help someone decide how they want to react to a situation before they act.
- Learning about techniques of conflict resolution.
- Relaxation techniques, such as meditationor yoga is more useful for anger management.
- It is easy to jump to conclusion when angry. It is better to take some time to stop and listen before replying.
- Consulting a psychologist.
- Regular exercise as it elevates your mood and make you feel cheerful.
- Using relaxation strategies, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, may help alleviate feelings of anger.
When to see a doctor
Excessive anger may be a symptom of mental illness where person may become aggressive and try to harm himself or others. If long term-anger management techniques are not working and affecting relationships, work and other areas of life, then one need to seek advice from a psychiatrist.
