Anger Management

Description

Introduction

Anger is a normal human emotion. Uncontrolled anger, however, can lead to aggression. This can cause physiological problems and lead to harmful behaviour.

Aggression first begins in the toddler years. This is when children are naturally more aggressive than any other age group. A toddler’s inability to talk may be one reason why aggression starts at this age.

Toddlers and young children need to learn how to control their emotions. Otherwise, frequent aggression over time can cause problems in school, at home and with their friends and family. One study found that 1 in 7 children who had aggression early in life that increased as they aged were at a higher risk of:

School failure.

Adult unemployment.

Physical violence.

Mental illness.

Anger management refers to the process by which a person learns how to identify stressors, take necessary steps to remain calm, and handle tense situations in a constructive, positive manner.

The purpose of anger management is to help a person decrease the heightened emotional and physiological arousal often associated with anger. It is generally impossible to avoid all the people, things, and settings that incite anger, but a person may learn how to control reactions and respond in a socially appropriate manner. The support of a mental health professional may be helpful in this process.

Causes of Anger:

Many different events can result in an individual's becoming angry. These may include:

Internal events such as perceived failures, injustices, or frustrations

External events such as loss of property or privileges, teasing, or humiliation.

Anger may result in externalizing behaviour such as verbal arguments and tantrums and/or internalizing behaviour’s such as sulking or increased symptoms of depression. In many cases, people respond the development of anger with aggression, which is the biological function of anger. It is an evolutionary response that helps prepare individuals to fight off threats.

Symptoms:

Some physical signs of anger include:

Clenching your jaws or grinding your teeth.

Headache.

Stomach ache.

Increased and rapid heart rate.

Sweating, especially your palms.

Feeling hot in the neck/face.

Shaking or trembling.

Dizziness.