What is Anger?

Anger is a normal human emotion that is usually experienced when we perceive provocation, hurt or threat.

Anger has 3 parts:

• Emotion (how you feel)
• Behaviour (how you express the anger, what you say and what you do)
• Thoughts (what I say or think to myself)

What happens when we are angry?

• Increased production and flow of adrenaline (adrenaline rush)
• Strength increases by up to 20%
• Liver, Heart and Lungs work overtime
• Increased blood sugar, increased blood flow and oxygen levels
• Arteries become enlarged and blood flow increases to the major muscle groups ready for action
• Reduced blood flow to the frontal brain
• Ready for fight, flight or freezing, but not for reasoning or problem solving
• The ability to think and reason clearly is restricted

What are some of the unhelpful consequences of anger?

• Clear thinking breaks down
• We tend to behave irrationally and unreasonably
• Constructive alternatives are not seen
• Our point of view is narrowed
• We lose perspective

How can anger-management help?

It can be helpful to understand that angry behaviour has been learned and anger is increased and maintained by angry thoughts. In anger management therapy, you can learn to identify and respond to your bodily signals when anger and tension is growing inside you, you can also learn to relax and reduce bodily arousal – this will allow you to think clearly and constructively, you can also learn to look for the signals that you are becoming upset before you become angry and learn tools and skills to respond to your anger in a more effective way.

If you are interested in learning skills in anger management, please contact us to discuss your support needs and arrange a consultation.