Anger Management

What is anger management?

Anger is a potent emotion arising when you feel hurt, frustrated, or disappointed. It’s normal (and even healthy) to feel anger sometimes, and it can be a source of motivation. However, letting angry feelings take over can lead to violence and loss of control that could be harmful to you and those around you.

Anger management is a skill that helps you understand your anger, recognize when it’s becoming a problem, and learn how to either channel it toward something positive or regain calm and control.

What problems does anger cause?

Excessive or uncontrolled anger can cause numerous problems, including:

• Relationship difficulties
• Distorted thinking and behavior patterns
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Headaches
• Skin disorders
• Digestive problems
• Anxiety and depression

Anger management gives you the tools to express your anger appropriately instead of bottling it up or losing your temper.

What techniques does anger management use?

There are several techniques the Cactus Serenity Integrated Health Services team uses in anger management, including:

Breathing exercises

Slowing your breathing down, breathing deeply, and using breathing exercises from disciplines like yoga can all help to calm you when you feel angry.

Calming thoughts

Having a word or phrase you can repeat to yourself when you feel anger taking over may interrupt the building rage. Simply repeating “keep calm” or a similar phrase can help, or you might like to memorize a poem to say to yourself.

Diversion

Another way of switching from anger to calm is to give your mind something else to think about. It could be anything that takes concentration, from listing United States presidents in your head to thinking of all the words you know beginning with a specific letter.

How do therapists help with anger management?

Cactus Serenity Integrated Health Services therapists work with you to develop effective tactics for altering your thinking and behavior when you’re angry.

One key approach is learning how to be assertive. Very often, anger spirals out of control because you feel unable to express your needs and feelings. Understanding how to assert yourself is invaluable so you can make your point without getting angry.