What Is Anger Management?

Anger management deals with recognizing the signs of anger and trying to calm down and deal with it in a healthy, wholesome manner. 

It is a popularly held belief that anger is a destructive emotion. However, when expressed appropriately, anger is a normal, healthy emotion that every human being expresses . 

Anger management does not teach you to hold the anger but express it appropriately without harming yourself or others in the process. 

You can learn anger management through several ways like books, videos, or other resources. However, to be more in tune with anger management techniques, you can approach a therapist or enroll in an anger management class.

How Do You Go About Consulting a Therapist for Anger Management?

You will first have to find a counselor or therapist who conducts anger management classes or helps people out. Once you’ve found an appropriate counselor, you can begin preparing for your sessions. 

Before your Sessions

You can consider reading various books or watching videos to understand the process of anger management better. 

You can also maintain a diary or journal where you can document any of your recent outbursts or triggers. This will help you remember your signs and triggers and effectively communicate them to the therapist.

Beginning Your Anger Management Sessions

In your anger management sessions, your counselor may ask you to identify the following warning signs to help him understand your situation better:

• Stressors: Stressors are the situations or events that commonly trigger your anxiety or lead to an angry response—for example, financial stress, problems with a partner or colleague, crying children, etc.

• Physical signs: Physical signs are the signals that your body shows whenever you feel anxious or angry—for example, sweaty palms, headache, pounding heart, etc.

• Emotional signs: These are the emotions or the signs of emotional distress that you feel when you are in anger. For example, you may feel like crying or yelling when you are angry.

Identifying these signs early is an essential step towards managing your anger. Every time you see any of these warning signs, you can halt  and implement the techniques your therapist teaches you to avoid having an outburst.

During the Anger Management Sessions

Anger management sessions generally focus on learning behavioral skills that will help you manage your anger better. Any other mental health conditions like depression, addiction, bipolar disorder, etc., that may also affect the outcome of these sessions will also need to be addressed.

The main aim of these sessions will be to teach you the following:

• Manage factors that may act as triggers: Various factors like inadequate sleep or increased workload can fuel your anger. Managing them may help you become less angry.
• Learn specific behavioral skills: Learning behavioral skills that will help you assert your needs without shouting or yelling can also help you control your anger.
• Focus on problem-solving: In these sessions, you will also learn to redirect your anger towards solving a problematic situation.
• Communicate effectively: You will also learn to communicate calmly and effectively to diffuse the situation and avoid conflicts.

Who Qualifies for Anger Management Sessions?

The sessions are  for those who need help in controlling their anger. Some of the signs you can watch out for:

• A feeling of constant irritation or frustration with someone or something
• Persistent negative thoughts and emotions running in your head
• Physical violence like hitting your children or spouse
• Breaking things or being out of control when angry
• Avoiding social situations or gatherings due to anxiety
• Frequent arguments with others over minor issues
• Unable to focus on your work or get things done

Why Is Anger Management Important?

Anger is a normal, healthy emotion that every human experiences. However, it can lead you to harm yourself and cause cracks in your relationships if not controlled. 

Anger management sessions are designed to help you cope with your anger in a healthy way  and regain control over your life and relationships. 

To know more about the details of this procedure or for a consultation:

Request an appointment at Apollo Hospitals 

Call 1860-500-1160 to book an appointment

What Are the Benefits of Anger Management?

There are several benefits to anger management. Some of them are as follows:

• Improves communication: Through anger management, you will communicate effectively with your family and friends without conflicts. It will also help you to express your needs appropriately without feeling frustrated. 
• Maintains better health: Managing your anger can help you lower your risk of heart issues and diseases caused by anger or stress.
• Prevents any form of psychological or social problems: Your anger can cause a strain in your relationship with yourself and others. Through anger management sessions, you can prevent suffering from any psychological issues like depression or anxiety and improve your relationship with your family and friends.
• Helps avoid addictions: People who feel angry may turn to alcohol or drugs to relax  or avoid getting angry. Instead, using various anger management techniques to calm yourself down may help you prevent addictions that may be more destructive than helpful.
• Help you get back to work: Being in an angry state can cloud your judgment and make it difficult for you to think clearly and do your job. By going to anger management sessions, you will be able to release your anger and focus on getting your work done.

What Happens If You Don’t opt for Anger Management?

Research suggests that not expressing appropriately or having unreleased or pent-up anger may increase the risk of developing the following health problems:

• Heart diseases like stroke or heart failure
• Chronic pain in the knees and joints
• High blood pressure 
• Diabetes
• Headaches or stomach aches
• Peptic ulcers

Conclusion

If expressed appropriately, anger may rarely ever get in the way of your career or relationships. 

Several triggers may exist in your life that may elicit an angry response from you. However, by being mindful and aware of these triggers and through various calming down techniques, you can prevent yourself from getting too angry. 

Hence, anger management can go a long way in helping you release your anger and lead a healthy, happy life!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

How many anger management sessions will I need to control my anger?

There is no fixed number. The number of anger management sessions varies from person to person. Your counselor will decide the number of sessions based on the stressors you need to work through.

What food items can naturally fuel anger in the body?

Food items high in sugar like cakes, biscuits, or fizzy drinks can increase your anxiety and cause anger. Even regular consumption of alcohol and smoking may naturally fuel anger in the body.

What is the appropriate age to go to a counselor for anger management?

There is no appropriate age to visit a counselor for anger management. Whether you’re an adult, child, or teen, you can always see a counselor if you require help managing your anger.