Anger Management in St. Louis Park & Serving Minneapolis, MN
Anger is an emotion that we all experience. It can be spurred by disappointment, shame, confusion, sadness, and other negative emotions. The way that we express our anger can take many forms, and it is important for your mental state to effectively manage and release anger.
Some people have a problem expressing their anger which can lead to problems. Some will react with hostility, rage, violence, or self-destructive behavior. This puts the person and anyone around them in potential danger. Releasing anger in this manner can cause you to hurt yourself or others, say or do things that cannot be taken back, or even get you into legal trouble. High levels of stress or the use of drugs and alcohol can increase the likelihood that someone will react to anger in this way. Other people have the opposite problem where they hold all of their anger inside. They may seem calm and collected externally, but bottling up your anger can lead to other problems. It can cause depression or anxiety if not dealt with properly. It is also possible that the anger can "build up" until it eventually bursts.
Managing Anger
While everyone contends with feelings of anger in their lives, uncontrolled anger can lead to many unfavorable outcomes including the loss of important relationships. In serious cases, a patient may be required to attend anger management as a condition imposed by a court, and in other cases, they are strongly encouraged to seek help by family and friends.
Common Anger Signs and Symptoms
While anger symptoms can develop over some time due to a troubling relationship or circumstance, some may be triggered by a traumatic experience in the past. These are some of the most common signs that you may be dealing with uncontrolled anger:
- Going from a state of calm to reacting hysterically in a very short period.
- Actively pushing people away from you when they try to get close.
- Lashing out verbally or physically at the slightest offense.
- Using substance abuse as a coping mechanism or displaying anger when drinking or using substances.
- High blood pressure, increased heart rate, and other cardiovascular issues.
If you are having trouble managing your anger a therapist can benefit you. We can help you develop effective ways to release and manage your anger. Channeling your anger into another activity (i.e. writing, running, working out, etc.) can provide an outlet where that anger can be used in a positive manner. Speaking to a therapist about what makes you angry and figuring out why can also help you manage your anger in similar situation in the future.