We all experience feelings of anger or frustration from time-to-time as it's a natural human response. However, anger becomes a problem if it harms you and/or other people around you. The symptoms of anger issues can vary from person to person, but angry outbursts can become more regular and worse over time, resulting in the need for anger management treatment.
Problems associated with anger don't just relate to physical acts of aggression. Equally harmful, are repeated negative thoughts of anger, or outward expressions of anger that cause harm to you, such as punching walls and doors. How you generally behave when you're angry depends on your ability to observe and ultimately control feelings of anger and frustration when they arise within you.
Unhelpful or destructive expressions of anger may include:
This may include shouting, swearing or being verbally abusive and threatening towards people around you. Physically lashing out, either by throwing objects or being physically violent to another person, are examples of outward aggression, and represent the clearest examples of unhelpful expressions of anger.
More subtle types of anger include directing your anger and frustration inwardly. You may have intense thoughts of hating yourself, which can lead to isolation from friends and family, and even put you at risk of self-harm or suicide.
While this may not seem as extreme as other types of unhelpful angry behaviour, passive aggressive displays of anger can have consequences for your relationships. For example, ignoring people or refusing to speak to them, or deliberately carrying out tasks at home or work poorly, can have negative consequences affecting yourself and the people around you.
Several things can help you to acknowledge and control your anger more effectively. These include:
Feelings of anger can be related to many different underlying difficulties. Treatment will consider any underlying mental health, alcohol and/or substance misuse difficulties as well as any interpersonal difficulties. Often, anger management problems may present as a mask for severe low self-esteem and past trauma, including abuse.
The type and length of anger management treatment is depends on your individual circumstances and how severe your anger is. Some people are treated as outpatients, where you'd attend a Priory site for hourly sessions, perhaps once a week, with your consultant, psychologist or therapist. Or you may need a more structured treatment approach, which can include taking part in anger management classes as part of our day care programme.
After your needs have been assessed and identified, and any underlying conditions dealt with, then you can benefit from psychological intervention for your anger issues. This may involve a variety of different treatment methods, ranging from a group therapy programme to a one-to-one intervention.
There are various treatment types that can help you to manage your anger, such as:
CBT is a talking therapy that identifies links between your thoughts, mood, behaviour and physical sensations. During CBT, you'll work through the unhelpful thought patterns associated with anger. We'll then help you become more aware of these thought patterns and how you can adjust them towards a significant improvement in overall mood.
You will also learn about the physical sensations associated with anger (e.g. feeling hot or clenched fists) and learn how to be more aware of these and manage them more positively.
CBT treatment for anger also focuses on the differences between being assertive, passive and angry and will teach you skills on how to respond assertively rather than with anger.
This is another talking therapy that involves a therapist listening to your personal experiences with anger to help you to increase your awareness and capacity to respond in your relationships at home, work or wider social settings. This type of therapy usually takes place in either one-to-one or group therapy sessions, the latter of which can help you gain valuable insights into how other people deal with their anger problems.
Helping you focus on your expressions of frustration, anger and rage, anger management classes enable you to reflect on the triggers for your anger problems and learn more effective coping techniques for situations where anger may be a problem. Using scenarios to cover different situations, ranging from anger at work, in public or within a relationship, you'll have space for learning with others and developing healthier responses.
Ultimately, treatment consists of promoting appropriate coping behaviours, as well as developing skills in interpersonal communication, including appreciating other people's points of view and managing communication appropriately.
If you're struggling with anger management, it's important to know you're not alone. This condition is treatable and with the right techniques, you can control your anger and express your emotions in different ways.
You can call us any time on 0800 756 2805 to discuss anger treatment options at a Priory location near you. You can also enquire online about our services and how Priory can support you in your recovery. If you feel you're in crisis and are going to hurt yourself, or someone else, please use these crisis support helplines to speak to someone urgently.
