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Anger

What is it? 

Anger is an appropriate and healthy emotion. Anger is a natural, adaptive response to threats and injustices directly and indirectly experienced; it inspires powerful, often aggressive, feelings and behaviors, which allow us to fight and to defend ourselves when we are attacked or feel emotionally and mentally harmed. A certain amount of anger, therefore, is necessary to our survival. 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.

Symptoms of Problematic Anger

Though anger is a normal human experience, it can be greatly debilitating. Anger becomes concerning when you find yourself acting in ways that seem out of control and frightening, appears unregulated, negatively impacts your social connections, and or makes it hard to attend to responsibilities in a fair and timely manner. Anger is often tied to other emotional struggles like depression and trauma. Approximately 12% of people, especially men and young adults, struggle to manage anger regularly. Symptoms can include and are not limited to:

  • Frequent Headaches 

  • Shaking  

  • Grinding your teeth at night

  • Tightness and tension in the body 

  • Increase in heart rate 

  • Screaming or yelling frequently

  • Intentionally breaking or hitting objects

  • Feeling "out of control" when becoming frustrated

  • Easily upset or irritable, even over "small things"

  • Experience the urge to hold anger in and it releases in unwanted ways

Treatment

Problematic Anger is highly treatable. Treatment may include:

  • Therapy (especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT and Emotion-Focused Therapy)

  • Mindfulness, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques

  • Lifestyle changes (exercise, healthy sleep, nutrition)

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With the right support and treatment, people with anger management concerns can get it to healthier levels. All of our therapists at Authentic Connection are capable and comfortable addressing these concerns. Specific therapists who specialize with anxiety concerns are Philip, Kylene, and Laura. 

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