We are not born angry. It is a conditioned response, i.e. a learnt behaviour and as such can be unlearned. Something has conditioned you to react with rage. It may be something that you learned long ago, and when a similar situation occurs, you naturally respond with outrage.
Failing to deal with your feelings efficiently can lead to mental and physical health problems. You may find that your anger is affecting your relationships, work, as well as your self-esteem.
When is anger a problem?
There are times when anger is essential. It can be a useful emotion because it triggers a natural reaction in the body called the fight or flight response, and it commonly occurs when we are stressed or threatened. Adrenaline is pumped around the body, making you feel tense and ready to ‘fight’ the threat, or ‘run’.
However, when most people become angry, fighting or running away isn’t usually the right option. This can make it difficult for us to express anger, and this is where some people develop a problem.
If you find it difficult to express your anger, you may bottle it up. This can cause angry eruptions at inappropriate moments. It may also make you feel angrier in general, leading you to respond more aggressively in other circumstances.
Everyone is different, but the following types of anger issues are known as potentially damaging:
- Constant – Ongoing, continued rage can affect the immune system and result in other mental health issues.
- Passive – When people show their rage in a passive way it often affects relationships.
- Overwhelming – Caused when a person feels there is just too much to deal with.
- Self-inflicted – When it is aimed at self due to perceived guilt.
- Judgmental – Focused towards others, the feeling of rage is usually driven by resentment.
- Explosive – Leading to violent outbreaks, this form of anger can be troubling for loved ones.
If you don’t discover how to deal with anger, it can lead to physical and mental health problems.
It is important to step outside yourself and to see anger as something that is separate to yourself. By doing this, you will be in a better position to control and, indeed, beat it.
When do you get angry?
- Is it in the car, at work, with your friends, partner or family?
- Do you feel mistreated?
- How do you act on your feelings?
- Do you shout, punch the wall or have you lashed out at another person physically?
- Is it the anger of another person or a situation out of your control that is causing you anguish?
Together we can determine where this feeling has come from and make rapid steps for you to overcome it. We can show you how to calm down rapidly, and with hypnotherapy help you to visualise the person you want to be – without anger!
