Behind an expression of anger lies a desire to convey a virtue or principle we uphold. In this sense, anger can be understood as a product from a discrepancy between our understanding of how our virtue should manifest itself, and how the other person behaves.

Anger is a natural, instinctive reaction to a threat. Some anger is necessary for our survival as human beings. However, anger can become a problem when you have trouble controlling it, or you do or say things you later regret. In fact, studies have shown that uncontrolled anger is bad for both your emotional and physical health. As an emotion, anger is psychophysiologically expensive, meaning that expressing anger depletes finite resources in the brain which precludes conscious thinking and rational decision making. Think about how many sound decisions we have made while angry. The answer might surprise you.

So how can you tell whether or not your anger is justified, or you or your loved one have anger management issues?

What are the Signs of Anger Management Issues?

Anger can be triggered by any number of factors, including family problems, stress, financial issues, or substance abuse. Regardless of the reason behind the anger management issues, there are common signs and symptoms. While it’s normal to experience some of these symptoms occasionally, an individual with anger issues tends to experience these symptoms more often and to a more severe degree.

Physical Symptoms

Anger can impact your body, including your brain, heart, and muscles. The physical signs and symptoms of anger include:

Muscle tension
Upset stomach
Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
And more

Emotional Symptoms

There is a wide range of emotions that coincide with anger. You may notice the following emotional symptoms before, during, and after an episode of anger:

Frustration
Anxiety
Irritability
Stress
Rage
Guilt
Feeling overwhelmed
And more

What are the Different Types of Anger?

Anger can manifest itself in a number of ways, and not all anger is expressed in the same way. Anger and aggression can be passive, inward, or outward.

Passive anger involves using indirect and subtle ways to express anger. Examples of passive anger may include sulking, using the silent treatment, making snide remarks, or being sarcastic.
Outward anger involves expressing anger in an overt and obvious manner. This can include cursing, shouting, breaking or throwing things, or being physically or verbally abused towards others.
Inward anger is directed at oneself. It can involve denying yourself the things that make you happy, negative self-talk, self-harm, self-defeat or withdrawal.

How to Tell if You or a Loved One Have Anger Management Issues?

You or a loved one may have anger issues if:

you feel angry frequently
you become angry when you have to compromise
you struggle with expressing emotions in a calm manner
you frequently ignore people when they ‘make you mad’
you yell, shout, swear, or become physically violent when you are angry
your anger impacts your relationships
your anger hurts yourself or others
your anger feels out of control
your anger causes you to do or say things you regret

How to Treat Anger Management

how to treat anger management

If you or your loved one believes their anger is out of control or is negatively impacting your life, seeking help from a mental health professional is a beneficial first step to take. A mental health professional, such as a psychologist, can help you determine the root cause(s) of your anger management, or if there is an underlying mental health condition that’s contributing to your anger management. Moreover, anger management therapy can help identify invisible forces that are maintaining your anger and suggest workable solutions toward discarding those forces.

Anger management treatment can include one or several of the following treatments:

behavioral therapy
relaxation techniques (such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga)
anger management classes
anger management exercises
support groups

BE Psychology Center

If you or your loved one needs help managing their anger or any other mental disorder, the professional psychologists in Dubai at BE Psychology can gladly help. Our family of clinicians and mental health professionals combine a wide range of expertise and experience to help you with your development. We’re dedicated to helping our clients find the solutions they need to achieve their mental health goals.

Contact a member of our team to schedule your appointment today.