Anger Management
Anger is a fundamental emotion that serves an important purpose in our lives. It allows us to express the need for some type of change, and in many cases it is the impetus that helps us take steps to affect such change. Anger is also an effective way for us to point out injustice, whether to oneself or others. But all too often this powerful emotion is misdirected, excessive, ill-timed or used to instill fear and inflict harm. Although anger management is ultimately a matter of self-control, many of us need objective, expert guidance to successfully subdue this emotion when its misuse has become a concern in our lives.
Individuals who cannot control their anger typically exhibit the following symptoms: feeling powerless when angry, frequent outbursts, regret after their occurrence, damaged or destroyed relationships due to angry behavior, and the trigger or reason that incites the behavior is not proportionate to the cause. In many cases a repetitive cycle of outburst and apology exists, wherein the anger intensifies. It is very important to seek professional help with anger management before you continue to damage relationships and feel an escalating sense of guilt or remorse. Because behavioral and cognitive patterns are notoriously difficult to reverse when they have reached this level, getting help with anger management early is critical.
Anger management therapy involves several key stages: identifying “triggers” and their associated cognitive, physiological, and emotional responses; establishing behavioral control techniques, developing skills to effectively express emotions, rather than repress them; and finding ways to repair broken relationships. Additionally, psychodynamic work is pivotal to uncovering the origins and motivations for your anger. If you are experiencing difficulty with anger management, please contact a 360 Therapist.