Mental Health & Anger Treatment

Expressing uncontrolled anger with abrupt outbursts and rage can negatively impact friendships, family relationships and create problems at work. People who release their anger on others typically feel bad afterwards about their actions.

Adults

• The feeling of loosing control, being treated unfairly and having established beliefs challenged or changed often trigger episodes of anger. Not being able to mentally cope with a circumstance is also noted as a trigger.

Children

• In addition to triggers experienced by adults, anger in children comes from feelings of being denied something that they believe to have earned.

Health

• According to a study completed by Marty Player, MD of the Department of Family Medicine, chronic stress and anger are linked to heart disease. There is a 68 percent chance that men and women will suffer from heart disease when experiencing prolonged anger.

Treatment

• Counting to 10, distancing yourself from the person who's making you angry, and being able to talk about what made you angry are three ways to manage your anger. Getting help from an anger management professional may be needed when self-management is not effective.

Beyond Anger

• According to the Mayo Clinic, it's possible for anger to be an indication of other mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder or depression. These symptoms should be examined by a mental health professional who can prescribe treatment.