Introduction to Anger Management
Harry Mills, Ph.D.image by Ross (lic)The Experience Of Anger
Anger is a fundamental emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. From a very early age, people learn to express anger by copying the angry behavior they see modeled around them, and by expressing angry behavior and seeing what they can get away with. As many cultures have an uneasy relationship with anger expression, many people are brought up to think that it is inappropriate to express anger directly; that it must not be tolerated; that it is always dangerous. Such people learn to distrust anger, to bottle it up and ignore it, to express it only in indirect ways or to use it as a weapon.
The idea that anger is dangerous is not without merit. Angry people are capable of great violence. However, while anger can certainly be abused, it is more than a simple destructive force. Anger is also a critically important part of what might be called the self-preservation and self-defense instincts. People who are incapable of getting angry are also incapable of standing up for themselves. It is important then that people learn how to express anger appropriately. People need to learn healthy and socially respectful ways to express angry feelings, and to not to let anger get out of control to the point where it negatively affects relationships, employability and health.
If you are reading this document, there is a good chance that you (or someone you care about) have an anger problem. An anger problem exists when people become dependent on anger as a primary means of expressing themselves; when they inappropriately use anger or the threat of violence as a weapon to get their way. Inappropriate and uncontrolled anger is harmful for both targets of anger and the angry person as well. Inappropriate anger destroys relationships, makes it difficult to hold down a job, and takes a heavy toll on angry people's physical and emotional health.
Help for anger problems exists in the form of anger management programs which are designed to help angry people learn and practice methods of bringing their anger under control.
This document reviews what is known about anger and anger management. It starts with a discussion of the nature of anger and anger's effects on people's social, emotional and physical welfare. Reasons and motivations for pursuing anger management are discussed, and then specific techniques used in anger management courses are described. The document concludes by describing ways motivated people can use anger management techniques to learn to control their anger so as to protect their health, promote the quality of their relationships and become more socially effective.
What is Anger?
Resources
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Articles
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Introduction to Anger and Its Costs
- Introduction to Anger Management
- What is Anger?
- Psychology of Anger
- Physiology of Anger
- Anger vs. Fear
- Anger Styles Are Learned
- Motivational Effects of Anger
- Health Costs Of Anger
- Social Costs Of Anger
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Deciding to Manage Anger
- Deciding To Manage Anger
- Recognizing Anger Signs
- Rage Ratings
- Anger Diary And Triggers
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Anger Management Techniques & Treatments
- Anger Management Relaxation Techniques
- Reality Testing and Anger Management
- Believable Reasons for Staying Cool
- Assertive Communication and Anger Management
- Anger Management and Making Requests
- Putting It Together: Use of Anger Management Techniques
- Anger Management Programs
- Go With The Anger Management Program
- Anger Contracting
- Anger Contracting (continued)
- Mandated Anger Management Treatment
- Handling Anger Management Relapses
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Suggested Readings
- Recommended Anger Management Readings
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Introduction to Anger and Its Costs
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News
- Study Probes Causes of Anger in Returning U.S. Soldiers
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Questions and Answers
- Angry All The Time
- Do You Know What's Wrong With Me?
- Getting Married, Stepsons With Awful Tempers
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- Does Romance Lead to Aggression?
- Why do I Feel Like Everyone is Trying to Upset me?
- Preventing Unwarranted Conflict
- He Says I'm Ignorant , Being a Moron
- Frequently Snapping Over Little Things!
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33 more
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- Dealing with Bipolar Dsorder
- Does an old brain injury contribute to anger management problems?
- dont understand me
- Three different personality disorders
- My younger brother is having spells of rage
- violent brother
- I get violent
- Anger Management
- Angry at my doctor for prescribing so carelessly
- I become very hostile towards myself
- Misdiagnosed and Lied To
- Living In Fear Of The Next Outburst
- A Very Bad Temper
- Angry But Over-Controlled
- Angry Friend
- Argumentative
- Inner Rage
- Screaming And Cursing Husband
- Are These Just Mood Swings
- Explosive Anger
- Chaotic Family Life
- Temper Problems
- Ruining the Best Relationships
- A VIOLENT MARRIAGE
- Jekyll & Hyde
- My Dad the Dictator
- Violent Behavior
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Tests
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Book & Media Reviews
- Action, Emotion and Will
- Aggression and Antisocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents
- Anger
- Destructive Emotions
- Emotions Revealed
- Getting over Getting Mad
- Handbook of Emotions
- Hatred
- Letting Go of Anger
- Master Passions
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10 more
- Mastering Anger and Aggression
- Mindful Anger
- Restraining Rage
- Shame and Guilt
- Taking Charge of Anger
- Taking Charge of Anger: Six Steps to Asserting Yourself without Losing Control
- The Irritable Male Syndrome
- The Mythological Unconscious
- The Subtlety of Emotions
- The Vehement Passions
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Links
- [4] Articles
- [1] Associations
- [2] Information
- [1] Journals
- [10] Videos
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Videos
- Controlling Anger
- Help Your Child to Be Angry Better
- Anger, Compassion, and What It Means To Be Strong
- Anger Management Techniques
- Learn the 6 Steps to Coping with Anger and How To Overcome Anger Triggers
- Anger Management Techniques That Work
- How to deal with anger appropriately?
- The Mad Family: Anger Management For Children
- Coping with Anger After Deployment
- Does Anger Hurt Your Heart?
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More Information
- Wise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Steven Shaps, MA on Anger Management
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