Anger
It's important to find healthy ways to express and manage angry feelings, rather than letting them lead to destructive or harmful behaviour.
What Is Anger?
The angry feeling is a natural emotion that we all experience from time to time. Anger is a strong feeling of frustration, annoyance, or hostility that can be triggered by a variety of situations or events.
Some common causes of angry feelings may include feeling wronged, misunderstood, or mistreated by others, or feeling frustrated or annoyed by a situation or obstacle that is preventing you from achieving a goal.
Signs of Anger
Here are some common signs that someone may be feeling angry:
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Facial expressions: scowling, frowning, or tense facial muscles
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Body language: standing or sitting rigidly, clenching fists, or making aggressive gestures
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Verbal cues: speaking more loudly or aggressively than usual, or using harsh or confrontational language
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Physical sensations: increased heart rate, tense muscles, or feelings of heat or warmth in the body
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Behaviours: acting impulsively or aggressively, or engaging in destructive or harmful behaviors
It's important to note that everyone expresses anger differently, and these signs may vary from person to person.
Additionally, not all anger is outwardly visible. Some people may internalise their anger and not show any obvious signs of being angry.
How I Can Help YOU
Psychodynamic Counseling can be a helpful way to address and manage anger issues. I can work with you to identify the causes of your anger and develop coping skills to manage your angry feelings and reactions in a healthy way.
Some specific ways that counseling with me can help with anger management include:
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Identifying the triggers for your anger: I can help you to identify the situations or events that trigger your angry feelings and develop strategies for managing your reactions to these triggers.
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Learning healthy coping skills: I can teach you relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, such as reframing negative thoughts and challenging irrational beliefs, to help you manage your angry feelings in a healthy way.
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Improving communication skills: I can help you to develop effective communication skills, such as assertiveness training, to better express your needs and boundaries in a healthy way.
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Addressing underlying issues: I can help you to explore and address any underlying issues that may be contributing to your anger, such as past traumas or relationship conflicts.
Let's Connect
Psychodynamic Counselling can be a valuable resource for managing your anger and improving your overall quality of life.
If you are interested in counselling with me, I encourage you to reach out and schedule a Free ‘Connection Chat’ to determine if I am the right therapist for you. I look forward to hearing from you!
5 Quick Tips on Coping With Anger Issues
Tip 1: Think Before You Speak
In the heat of the moment, it's easy to say something you'll later regret. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before saying anything. Also, allow others involved in the situation to do the same.
Tip 2: Stop Talking
When you’re steamed, you may be tempted to let the angry words fly, but you’re more likely to do harm than good. Pretend your lips are glued shut, just like you did as a kid. This moment without speaking will give you time to collect your thoughts.
Tip 3: Take a Timeout
Timeouts aren't just for kids. Give yourself short breaks during times of the day that tend to be stressful. A few moments of quiet time might help you feel better prepared to handle what's ahead without getting irritated or angry. Sit away from others. In this quiet time, you can process events and return your emotions to neutral.
Tip 4: Write It Down
Sometimes, writing stuff down can help you work out why you’re feeling angry and how you might be able to deal with it. Try drafting a letter to someone to explore what you think is making you angry, how you're responding to the situation, and how you want to address your feelings.
Take a pause before sending it and read back over your letter. This method will allow you to express your feelings while reading over your words will help you to put things in perspective. You may find you don't need to send the letter as your feelings subside after writing, or writing it down may help you find the right words that you can use in a discussion.
Tip 5: Don't Hold a Grudge
Forgiveness is a powerful tool. If you allow anger and other negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, you might find yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice. Forgiving someone who angered you might help you both learn from the situation and strengthen your relationship.
