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Anger Management Treatment
Anger management treatment is meant for those who struggle to contain their aggressive and violent behaviour when they experience the emotion of anger. The purpose of the treatment is to both decrease the feeling of anger and managing and controlling the response to the emotion.
Learning how to manage anger can be beneficial to the people with the problem and the people around them who are often the victims of this behaviour, both physically and emotionally.
Here, you can learn more about anger management treatment and the steps that you can take to alleviate the problem.
What is Anger?
Anger is an emotion that everyone experiences every once in a while. It is how we respond to it that can change the way we perceive anger. Normally, anger causes irritation, which can vary depending on the person. In some cases, the irritation will be higher than with other people, which is when anger management treatment is appropriate.
When people are angry, they experience a whole host of physiological and biological changes. Their heart rate goes up, as does their blood pressure, and hormonal changes are also experienced.
Energy hormones, adrenaline, and non-adrenaline hormones shoot up. If uncontrolled, these changes can lead to unwarranted and socially unacceptable behaviours. Luckily, we can work on eradicating it with the correct support and treatment.
What is Anger Management?
Anger management is a process. It can take months or even years before it is successful, and it takes constant involvement in group classes and sessions with a health professional. During the process, individuals learn how to recognize signs of anger, and control the actions they take right after experiencing the emotion.
Anger management is not about eradicating the emotion of anger; that is impossible to do, as anger is a normal and healthy emotion that everyone experiences.
However, anger management is learning how to cope with anger and how to express emotion in a healthy way.
We all feel anger: everyone merely responds to it differently.
Why People Get Angry?
The reasons for anger are external and internal. Every person has their own individual triggers that make them angry, and some people will get angry where someone else might not. It largely depends on our personal experience or our current circumstances.
But just because other people don’t feel anger in some situations that we do, it doesn’t mean that we are somehow wrong for feeling anger. We just have to manage it properly.
Solving the anger management issues often stems down to finding out the reason for being angry. Here are the most common ones.
1. Childhood Issues
Sometimes, anger issues come from the trauma that a person experiences during childhood. Often, people with anger management issues experienced or witnessed physical or emotional violence in their families, which leads them to interpret the world based on the traumas from childhood.
2. PTSD
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is also a common reason for anger. Persons who have experienced severe trauma at some point in their lives can still bear the consequences of that event for long after the event has taken place.
One of the most common ways this happens is through anger. It is just one of the ways of how PTSD can leave lasting effects.
3. Frustration at Current Situation
If one is going through a rough patch in their lives, they might get angry at events or triggers that are irrelevant or unimportant. Often, the anger results from suppression from events that made the person angry in the first place.
Stressful life events such as the death of a family member or a friend, poor financial situation, or overall frustration at the current situation might result in anger.
4. Low Self-Esteem
Having low self-esteem can result in several neglective behaviours, including fits of anger. Normally, low self-esteem is a long-term issue that can take a long time to eradicate.
People with low self-esteem have a poor opinion about themselves and will feel incapable of coping with the problems they deal with.
5. Depression
Anger is a possible consequence of depression, which is a long-term feeling of sadness. A depressed person loses interest in life and the world around them.
It shows in many ways; a depressed person will become more irritable. they will be low on energy, they will feel hopeless and might even have suicidal thoughts.
6. Bipolar
A bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that results in significant shifts in mood. At one time, a person with BP will feel euphoric and happy, and they will also have manic periods when they’ll feel depressed and angry.
Signs and Symptoms of Anger Issues
Anger shows itself in different ways. Some people might be more outgoing with it and might influence other people, while others will keep it in and take it on themselves.
There are physical, mental, and behavioural changes connected to anger which include:
1. Physical Symptoms
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling of tenseness in the muscles
- Fist clenching
- Tightness in the chest
- Feeling hot
2. Mental Symptoms
- Inability to relax
- Feeling of humiliation
- Tenseness
- Nervousness
- Being easily irritated
3. Behavioural Symptoms
- Shouting
- Fighting with other people
- Sulking
- Self-harming behaviour
- Breaking things
Anger Management Treatment Overview
There are many ways we can tackle anger and manage it, which will, in turn, improve your quality of life. Here are some of the most effective and popular treatment options to help with your anxiety on a day to day basis:
Breathing Exercises
You may find that breathing exercises can have a very calming effect on you and can be done anywhere and anytime. It only takes a couple of minutes to do them. The best results will come if done daily.
First, make yourself comfortable. You might find yourself standing, sitting, or lying on your back. Try to relax your muscles as you do this.
Then, inhale as deeply as you can, but don’t force the breath in. Try to really focus on your breathing. Inhale from the nose, and exhale from the mouth.
Keep doing this for 3-5 minutes when you feel anger coming up. Try to make it a part of your daily routine.
Self-Referral/Treatment Program
It’s vital to take part in treatment programs with the help of a professional, or you can also take steps on your own. These treatment programs include several strategies that can only be taught by professionals.
These include CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), improving conversational skills, developing problem-solving skills. avoidance of problematic situations, and more.
Finding Another Outlet
In some cases, finding another outlet to let the anger and energy out might prove beneficial. This might include going for a walk, exercising, practising martial arts, or even finding a physical object to hit, such as a pillow.
Medication
Your doctor might prescribe you medication if you have a severe case. These include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or other drugs if required.
Anger Journaling
You might find it useful to have an “anger journal”, where you write down your negative emotions and what led to those emotions. This way, you can understand why you got angry in the first place and consequently refrain from those actions in the future.
Counselling/Talking Therapies
Talking about your problems and your anger is certainly beneficial and can bring a better understanding of your triggers. Counselling or talking therapies provide you with an opportunity to lay your feelings out on the table, A counsellor or a psychotherapist will help you along the way of managing your anger.
Peer Support
Finding support from peers who suffer from anger management will help you connect with other people with similar problems. There are many community groups offering support, although some need the approval of GP to attend. There are also many online support groups that you can take part in, such as walking or art therapy groups.
Who Can Benefit from Anger Management Therapy?
Anger management therapy is for everybody struggling with anger management, not just for offenders who are ordered to attend by the court. Anybody who has seen their quality of life compromised due to anger can attend anger management therapies and see results in a matter of weeks.
Of course, some people might be recommended to attend by their GP due to work-related issues or confrontations. Many attend them voluntarily.
Get in touch today
Call now on 0800 088 66 86 for confidential and immediate advice if you or someone you love is struggling with anger issues.
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