Dealing With Anger

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Dealing With Anger
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What is Anger?

• Anger is an emotional state that that varies in
  intensity from mild irritation to intense fury
  and rage.
• Out of control anger can be dangerous.
• Physiological and biological changes occur.
• Charles Spielberger, PhD

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What Causes Anger?

• External events
• specific person
• an event (traffic)
• Internal events
• worry
• brooding
• traumatic memories
• enraging memories

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Some People are More Angry Than Others

• hotheaded
• chronically irritable
• sulking
• physical symptoms
• low frustration tolerance

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Why are Some More Angry?

• genetics
• physiology
• Socio-cultural factors
• family background
• lack of communication skills

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Four Main Approaches

• 1. expressing
• 2. suppressing
• 3. calming
• 4. tending and
• befriending

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1. Expressing Anger

• Anger helps us to fight and defend ourselves when
  we are attacked.
• However, when a physical reaction is not
  appropriate, we need other ways to react.
• There are limits to socially acceptable
  expressions of anger.

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But, is it Really Good for us to Let it All Hang
Out?

• myth of getting it out
• actually can escalate anger
• overlooks triggers
• can be aggressive

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2. Suppressing

• Anger can be suppressed, then converted or
  redirected.
• Often suppressed anger comes out in unexpected
  (and unwanted) ways.

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The Unexpressed Anger Can Create Problems

• passive-aggressive behavior
• critical behavior that sabotages relationships
• physical problems
• high blood pressure
• hypertension
• depression

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3. Calming

• reduce emotional feelings
• reduce physiological arousal
• learn to control your reactions
• try to replace anger-provoking thoughts with
  rational thoughts

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4. Tending and Befriending Womens Unique Anger
Management Technique

• Women often react to anger by going into a tend
  and befriend mode.
• Relationships help women overcome their negative
  feelings.

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Using Anger Strategies

• You cant get rid of the people or things that
  enrage you, but you can learn to control your
  reactions.
• If you find yourself acting in ways that seem out
  of control and frightening, you might need some
  help to find better ways to deal with this
  emotion.

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Be Cool