Anger

Anger is a normal emotion. Just like happiness, sadness, fear or shame it plays a vital role in regulating our emotional balance. Anger is the driving force that helps us to protect what is important, to fight injustice, manage boundaries, express difficult thoughts and feelings, and simply let others know something is wrong.

Our life experiences play a huge part in shaping the way we express anger and deal with things during stressful and challenging times. Some people can become aggressive whilst others may hide their anger and take it out on themselves. Sometimes it can be difficult to recognise anger is the source of why you’re behaving differently.

There are many symptoms of anger and these can affect you mentally, physically, and the way you behave. Increased heartbeat; tense muscles; difficulties relaxing; suicidal thoughts; self-harm; feeling irritable, humiliated, or resentment; ignoring others; withdrawing (sulking); sarcasm; breaking things; shouting; being argumentative or starting fights, are all signs of anger.

The triggers for anger will vary from person to person as we all have different views about what is right and wrong. Injustice; disrespect; abusive behaviour; constant disappointment; lying; violation of personal space; embarrassment; relationship disputes, and threats to our safety are all potential triggers.

Although anger is a necessary emotion, it can have a negative impact on our relationships and quality of life when it is left unresolved. Anger management counselling is a safe and confidential way to help you make sense of the cause(s), appropriately express, and identify new techniques on how to manage anger.