Skills for Anger Management in Institutionalized People

A lack of anger management skills is a reason why some people are institutionalized. Unfortunately, anger management is hard to treat and anger is often a symptom of much deep psychological issues. Still, there are certain coping skills that can be taught fairly easily to help those with anger management issues.

Present Moment Awareness

• Anger occurs as a reaction to an external stimulus. An unconscious trigger is activated that puts the person in a blind rage. The person does not think but instead reacts habitually and angrily. To counter that process, therapists recommend cultivating present moment awareness. This involves recognizing when you are becoming angry. Once recognition of anger occurs, the person steps back and counts to ten. This lets the chemical triggers of anger subside and after ten seconds, the person can decide whether he wants to get angry or not. This skill can be taught in institutions are part of existing counseling and rehabilitation programs. Present moment awareness can keep those who are institutionalized from acting on anger impulses.

Meditation

• Meditation is one of the best long-term treatment solutions for anger management. Several studies and documentaries, such as the "Dhamma Brothers" and "Doing Time, Doing Vipassana" document the miraculous transformative power of meditation among prisoners. Meditation helps restore balance and harmony to the mind, along with control. These are powerful tools in treating anger. Mediation can be done in any position; even those who are bedridden can practice. A high IQ is also not necessary; even people with mental disabilities can practice. A meditation instructor can be brought into the facility to teach interested groups or do one-on-one training.

Expression

• Anger must be expressed. However, in the case of anger management patients, anger is expressed in unhealthy ways. Have the person do this exercise: the next time she gets angry, rather than shouting, ask her to calmly express everything she is feeling. Focus only on feelings, not thoughts (like "I want to kill that guy"). Feelings are the root of what needs to be addressed. For example, "You cut in front of me in line. That makes me feel like you don't respect me or the rules of the line" is a healthy way of expressing the anger felt while being cut off in line. The anger is expressed and not bottled up. This is preferable to violent or aggressive reactions.

Alternate Outlets

• Learning how to channel raw angry energy into creative outlets of expression is an important skill for anger management patients. Learning a skill like painting, writing or a sport helps channel rage in a healthy manner. Institutions can offer classes that teach these skills and help patients channel anger into creative outlets.