concerningANGER

Anger is a legitimate human emotion. Modern psychologists view anger as a primary and natural emotion experienced by all people as a response to the perception of a threat. Anger can be passive or agressive. It can be expressed or suppressed. It can vary in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage. The physical effects of anger include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure and increased levels of the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline.  The external expression of anger can be seen in facial expressions, body language and in acts of aggression.

Anger can be constructive when expressed in a healthy, appropriate manner or destructive when it gets out of control. People with anger problems usually have not learned ways to express their anger in a healthy manner. They may lash out uncontrollably or go to great lengths to contain their anger within themselves.

Contained, unexpressed anger can also create many problems. Suppressing angry feelings can lead to pathologocal expressions of anger such as passive-aggressive behaviour, hostility and depression. Psychologists have believed for a long time that there is a link between depression and long-term unexpressed anger.

Men are more likely than women to experience problems with anger control issues. This may be due to biological factors (including the male hormone, testosterone), social factors (men are expected to be dominant and aggressive) and possibly because many men feel more comfortable expressing anger than they do other feelings like hurt, loss, disappointment or confusion.

While men are more likely to have problems controlling outward expressions of anger, women are more likely to have problems with unexpressed or contained anger. Some women feel they shouldn't get angry, or that anger isn't feminine, or they may not feel entitled to express feelings of anger with those around them. Women are much more likely to suppress anger and cope with anger-inducing experiences in other ways. This can lead to a number of psychological and emotional problems.

The term 'anger management' is slightly mis-leading. This phrase seems to imply the way to deal with anger is to learn to manage it. While managing anger is possible, counselling and psychotherapy would seek to determine the underlying causes of anger problems and resolve these. Therapy would involve exploring the way a person deals with anger and determining healthy, appropriate ways to express angry feelings.

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sources

American Psychologocal Association, www.apa.org/topics/anger

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anger