Emotions enable us to experience life with impact and meaning, to act protectively and connect with others. They can also push us to feel things that are hard to experience, such grief, shame, sadness, fear, guilt, and anger. Often people cope with feelings associated with stress by acting out in ways that release tension such as angry outbursts, or to dull feelings or block out thoughts or memories that are hard to deal with by taking drugs or drinking. These coping methods often lead to further problems that are even more difficult to manage and can have long-lasting consequences. This is particularly relevant for anger as our emotions are so closely linked to our behaviour, and anger compels us to want to react with energy and enthusiasm. Anger without discipline or some form of mindfulness or management usually leads to personal devastation and increased problems over time.
Emotions/Anger
Anger
Many people report that anger is the emotion that causes them the most problems personally and professionally. The sensations that anger stir up in us are uncomfortable and difficult to endure, however, learning how to handle them in healthy ways helps improve overall mental health, relationships, and the ability to enjoy life. With therapy and good support, you will still experience uncomfortable emotions, but you will be far more equipped to respond in ways that don’t cause problems or distress to you and those around you.
If you feel that your anger or emotions are so intense that they’re affecting how you behave or you are concerned that your anger may be affecting your relationships or causing problem behaviours, please take the opportunity to talk with one of Psychologist’s who will assist you with the tools you need to manage your emotions more effectively and without aggressive verbal or physical behaviour.
Seeking help for anger or emotional management issues is a proactive step towards improving your quality and experience of life and that of those around you. It is an investment and empowering step in your life.
Common Symptoms and behaviours of anger:
- Feeling stressed out or wound up often
- Losing your temper easily
- Making mean snide or sarcastic comments,
- Being stubborn often in angry outbursts
- Frequent conflict with people
- Physical violence
- Blaming others
- Holding grudges
- Bottling things up; finding it hard to communicate emotions
- Being passive-aggressive, or gaslighting others
- Verbal aggression, yelling, screaming, name calling
- Breaking things, punching walls, or going for a wild drive
- Using drugs and alcohol to cope.
Therapy can help you cope emotionally with difficult life circumstances like:
- Grief and loss
- Relationship and communication problems
- Work or financial difficulties
- Stress, anxiety- or depression
- Parenting
- The effects of addiction or abuse
- Separation or divorce and blended families