Anger is a normal human emotion. But in some cases, it becomes a problem that not only affects you but others as well. This is the reason why anger management is so important.
Being unable to control your anger can lead to conflicts and needless injuries. Sure enough, according to the Insurance Information Institute, road rage has the potential to cause accidents and violent confrontations on the road.
This doesn’t even begin to cover incidents off-road. But as much as we portray anger issues as isolated cases, psychiatrists view these problems as having roots in the following conditions according to an article on Medical News Today:
- Events that trigger frustration
- Issues with other people including family members
- Traumatic events
- Unaccomplished goals
- Environmental conditions such as extreme heat
There are other factors that contribute to the development of anger issues. And while it’s impossible to avoid events and situations that trigger anger, it is possible for an individual to control how he or she reacts to such stimuli.
Anger management is anchored on the idea that anyone can keep their emotions in control. As a matter of fact, there are a number of evidence-based approaches to dealing with anger. Here are some of them:
1. Keep yourself from balling it up
Have you ever seen the movie Anger Management? Jack Nicholson’s character points out that there are two kinds of angry people: explosive and implosive. It won’t take long before an explosive person shouts at you during a traffic jam, but an implosive person has the tendency to gather up all his or her anger and let it all go in one violent outburst.
The least you could do during a stressful situation is to let your anger consume you from within. With that being said, you should find a healthy way to blow off steam and prevent your anger from accumulating. Look for ways to relieve the pressure without hurting yourself or anybody.
2. Keep your expectations realistic
In some people, much of their frustration stems from the fact that they are unable to achieve the goals that they have set. It doesn’t mean that striving for perfection is unhealthy, but we all have to ground ourselves in reality at times. Committing to realistic expectations gives us peace of mind and makes us less prone to violent outbursts.
3. Breathe, meditate, and relax
These might not be the easiest to do when you are already angry, but practice does go a long way in keeping you from exploding.
Taking deep breaths and distancing yourself from a stressful situation remains the most effective means to relax. You can also opt to use a stress ball, infinity cube, or other related toys to help relieve you of any ill feelings. Then again, you can also talk to friends, family members, or professionals in anger management to get advice for keeping a level head.
For MidCities Psychiatry, anger issues are just some of the most common emotional problems that people can deal with through proper intervention.
If you or someone you know has problems with anger, give us a call at 817-488-8998 and let’s sit down and chat about it.