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Anger is an emotion that arises when we a person feels threatened. It involves a sense of antagonism toward someone or something. Anger can have a wide variety of manifestations, but when it becomes excessive, it can lead to risky behavior, relationship issues, and health issues. The good news is that anger can be managed with the support of a therapist.
Anger is an emotional response to a situation or an unwanted action by another person. As an emotion, anger is typically accompanied by hostile thoughts like the desire for revenge against someone the person feels has disrespected them or treated them poorly. Moreover, the symptoms of anger are made up of both external and internal reactions that can have long-term negative effects on a person’s life and relationships.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), while the long-term outcomes of anger are typically negative, anger, which is part of the “fight-or-flight” reaction, can have some short-term positives. In the past, anger was a tool for survival, but in the modern world, short-term anger can be directed at injustice in the world, and it can help alert others that what we say and feel is important.
In addition, many clinicians note that there are different types of anger that can affect a person in different ways.
Difficulties with anger management have a high correlation with substance abuse disorder (SUD) and certain mental health disorders. As noted in the CNS Spectrums Journal, one in 13 U.S. adults struggle with anger management issues that interfere with their daily life at work, school, and in relationships. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 37% of homicides were committed by people under the influence of alcohol. It’s known that traumatic experiences coupled with SUD can exacerbate feelings of anger and violent patterns when left untreated.
In addition to SUD, certain mental health disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder (BP) are correlated with increased levels of anger. Individuals with PTSD and BP may struggle with managing emotions and risky behavior. Moreover, researchers have also found a correlation between anger and sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics like gender identity, age, cultural background, relationship status, and financial situation. As CNS Spectrums Journal notes, 7.81% of men experience higher levels of anger than women.
Intense, sustained anger carries with it heightened health risks, including:
Treating anger issues is important because uncontrolled anger in the long term can lead to emotional and physical difficulties. With support, a person can learn to manage their anger to avoid unhealthy interpersonal conflicts, risky behavior, and early mortality. Anger management is an important tool in controlling the emotional, psychological, and physiological issues that result from anger.
According to APA, many cultures see anger as a negative emotion, as something to avoid expressing. However, complete avoidance of anger is more likely to result in never learning how to constructively channel and manage anger. Therefore, learning how to manage your anger can support you in building healthier thinking patterns and relationships as you learn how to process and use anger in more constructive ways.
Some tools that can help people manage their anger include:
The symptoms of anger can feel different for each person. For some people, anger might feel like an uncontrollable rage that manifests physically and verbally. Anger can also be quiet and still as people internalize their hostile thoughts and feelings. Moreover, symptoms of anger can overlap with co-occurring disorders like SUD, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
At Mindfuli, our virtual chat, real-time video, and audio-only support options make it easier for people to get the care they deserve. Clients can receive support from our team of licensed therapists and care counselors from the comfort of their homes. In addition to scheduled appointments at convenient times, people can schedule appointments outside their regular sessions as well. We are here for our clients whenever they need support. We believe in the power of collaboration for long-term wellness. We find that building a relationship between our clients and our care team through a therapeutic alliance leads to more trust and better outcomes for well-being.
Our evidence-based interventions and practices can support people in learning to manage their anger and in finding more healthy, constructive ways to express their thoughts and feelings.
To learn more about our anger treatment, visit our Anger page.
For people who are experiencing symptoms of anger with or without co-occurring disorders, seeking support can assist them in managing their long-term wellness. Anger can make it difficult to maintain healthy boundaries for work, school, and relationships. Seeking treatment for anger can help people manage their symptoms and build better relationships. Treatment can help people establish more emotional balance in their lives. Through our relationship-based care, Mindfuli can help people avoid passive and open aggression as they develop healthier thinking patterns.
To learn more about our relationship-based care, visit our FAQ page.
Anger can make relationships difficult to maintain. With support, you can learn how to process and share your feelings in constructive ways that enhance your lifelong wellness. At Mindfuli, our virtual platform and dedication to therapeutic collaboration make getting help easy and convenient. Call (888) 703-3004 today.
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