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Anger ~ Introduction

What is anger?

Anger is a normal human emotion that can range from mild to intense rage.  It is a feeling that generates biological changes in the human body.  When anger is created, your heart rate and blood pressure rises and stress hormones are released.  When people experience angry feelings, they often show ways of angriness that may include behaviors like yelling, throwing things, criticizing, ignoring and storming out.  Anger can lead towards violence if not properly managed.  Some people use anger as a excuse for being abusive towards others

What causes anger?

Frustration can usually cause anger, when things do not go your way or people just don not behave like we think they should, this where it begins.  Anger is sometimes joined with negative emotions or is a response to them.  When feeling hurt, frightened, disappointed, worried, embarrassed or frustrated, you are capable of using these feelings to express anger.  Another result of anger is misunderstandings or poor communication among people.

Symptoms of anger

Some of the common signs and symptoms of anger include:

• Feelings of nervousness or anxiety
  
  
• Rapid heart rate and breathing
  
  
• Perspiration
  
  
• Having a dry mouth
  
  
• Flushed face
  
  
• Feeling hot
  
  
• Muscle tension
  
  
• Nervous twitches
  
  
• Inability to sit still
  
  
• Headaches
  
  
• Appetite changes
  
  
• Feeling confused or forgetful
  
  
• Difficulty concentrating
  
  
• Short temper
  
  
• Being irritable
  
  
• Being uncomfortable with criticism
  
  
• Withdrawing from others
  
  
• Sleep difficulties

Steps to help manage anger

• When you start feeling angry, try deep breathing, positive self-talk, or stopping your angry thoughts.  Breathe deeply from your diaphragm.  Slowly repeat a calm word or phrase such as “relax” or “take it easy”.  Repeat this step until the anger goes away.

• Learn how to laugh at yourself and see humor in situations

• Try to gain a different perspective by putting yourself in another’s place
  
  
• Attend anger management classes

Additional Information