Anger Management Counseling

Anger is natural, but it can be  destructive when it is expressed inappropriately.

Anger itself isn't bad.  Expressed appropriately, anger can be healthy.  It can protect you from dangerous situations, energize you to resolve problems, or lead to initiating reforms in society.

Sure, everyday frustrations, impatience and resentment can all cause your temper to flare.  For many people, these are fleeting moments.  They are able to take these situations in stride and quickly return to a sense of calm without exploding.

However, if your blood boils after minor irritations — such as losing that coveted parking space — or if you're constantly seething, you may need to improve how you're managing anger.  Anger that's out of control can be destructive, leading to problems in your relationships, at work, in your enjoyment of life, and with your health.  You could even be arrested or face other legal problems.

Why do you tend to fly off the handle more than others seem to?  Anger responses can become habitual.  That is, you may respond automatically to a situation that makes you angry, with little pause to think about your reactions.  The intensity of your anger may even catch you by surprise.

How do you express your anger?  Consider these questions to assess your anger responses:

• Do you express anger in a way that overwhelms you and others?
• Do you get angry more often than most people you know?
• Do you get angrier than is necessary?
• Do you use threatening language or gestures?
• Do you get angry enough to hit, throw, or kick things, people, or animals?
• Do you seethe for hours?
• Do you hide angry feelings from others or try to suppress your feelings?
• Do you use alcohol or drugs to calm your rage?
• Do you experience physical reactions such as muscle tension or a racing heart when you get angry?
• Does expressing your anger usually leave you feeling better about yourself and the person who angered you?
• Do you wish you were not blowing up at everyday frustrations?

Identify the ways you express anger to help you determine if you need to change how you respond to upsetting situations.  You may react too aggressively or even too passively.  In either case, you can learn new methods to replace old, unhealthy habits.  If your level of anger is high or you tend to express anger in an unhealthy way, make plans to deal with your anger.  You may want to consider talking with an anger management professional to help you learn to handle anger in a healthier way and to better understand what's behind your anger.

Anger management is not about stopping you from expressing your anger entirely.  It's O.K. to feel angry.  In fact, trying to suppress or deny your anger can lead to a host of physical complaints, such as headaches, depression, stress, and sleeping or eating difficulties.  It can also lead you to erupt into violent behavior if your anger has been simmering without an outlet.

The key, though, is to express your anger in an assertive, controlled way.  Managing anger effectively can benefit you and those around you.  Your health may improve, you'll feel better about yourself, and strained relationships may heal when you control your anger.

If you or someone you know is are currently struggling with anger management, we are here to help.  Please contact us today for a free consultation and ask to speak with Kimberley Harris, Ray Robinson, Jennifer Reed, or Chris Berger.