Anger Management Counseling in Pflugerville, TX
Anger is a powerful emotion that can stem from feelings of frustration, hurt, annoyance and disappointment. It is a normal emotion that can range from slight irritation to strong rage. Memories of traumatic or enraging events can also trigger feelings of anger.
When an individual reacts in a way that is more intense and aggressive than what is necessary in the situation, they may physically hurt others or themselves. They may take their frustrations out on objects by punching walls or kicking garbage cans. There are times when people argue aggressively and call others insulting names, give dirty looks, make threatening gestures or even hold the anger inside, stew about it or sometimes plan revenge. These individuals may benefit from anger management therapy at Thriveworks in Pflugerville, TX.
The experienced therapists at Thriveworks can work with individuals with uncontrollable anger and help them recognize its causes and the triggers that make them angry. They can help map out a plan to appropriately respond to these triggers. The Thriveworks therapists can help to determine the best anger management treatment plan for individuals so they can enjoy healthier lives– both mentally and physically.
Three Ways People Deal With Anger
Three approaches to anger are expressing, suppressing and calming.
Expressing angry feelings is necessary and healthy when it is done assertively rather than aggressively. People who let loose and become hostile or aggressive put others on the defensive, exacerbating the situation. Expressing anger aggressively turns people off and compels them to distance themselves from you. This can ruin personal and professional relationships.
Anger can be suppressed, converted or redirected. This happens when an individual holds the anger inside, tries to stop thinking about it or focuses on something else. This can be a harmful response, because it can turn against the person. When anger is held in, it tends to increase in intensity or expand under pressure. The individual risks doing real harm to themselves when anger is suppressed. It can cause high blood pressure, ulcers or depression, as well as pathological expressions like passive-aggressive behavior or becoming overly critical, cynical or negative. Suppressing anger can lead to poor relationships with others and make life miserable.
The ultimate goal is to deal with anger by learning to calm it down. This can be done effectively by using a combination of physical and cognitive strategies.
Common Triggers to Anger
- Grief and sadness from the loss of a family member, friend or other loved one.
- Shorter temper and irritability when tired.
- When an injustice occurs, such as infidelity, being bullied, humiliated or embarrassed or being told that you or a loved one has a serious illness.
- Sexual frustration.
- Money problems and the stress associated with debt.
- Unrealistic deadlines and things beyond immediate control, such as being stuck in traffic.
- A feeling of failure or disappointment.
- Taking drugs or alcohol or when withdrawing from substances.
- Having a crime committed against you or a loved one (theft, violence, sexual offenses and more minor things, such as being treated inappropriately).
- Being physically or mentally unwell, in pain or living with a serious illness.
How Anger Can Make You Ill
People who get angry often and can’t manage their anger effectively can become ill. When people are angry, the body releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, the same hormones released with stress. As a result of the release in hormones, blood pressure, pulse, body temperature and breathing rate may increase, at times to potentially dangerous levels. This natural chemical reaction is designed to give an instant boost of energy and power, often referred to as the “fight or flight” reaction. This is the body and mind preparing for a fight or running away from danger.
Getting angry often and not managing anger effectively can cause illnesses the same way stress can when it is unresolved. The body is not designed to withstand high levels of adrenaline and cortisol over long periods of time on a regular basis. Some of the health problems that may occur when a person is angry regularly or for long periods of time are:
- Aches and pains, usually in the back and head.
- High blood pressure, which can, in severe cases, lead to stroke and cardiac arrest.
- Sleep problems.
- Problems with digestion.
- Skin disorders.
- Reduced threshold for pain.
- Impaired immune system.
- Depression.
- Reduced self-confidence.
- Eating disorders.
- Alcoholism.
- Substance abuse.
- Self-injury.
- Immediate Anger Management Tips
Contact the therapists at Thriveworks in Pflugerville, TX to learn more about the causes of your anger and how to respond to the triggers. In addition, some of the immediate anger tips below may help.
Many relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, visualization or meditation, can help calm angry feelings. For a more physical approach, walking, lifting weights or cleaning out the cupboards can be fun and productive at the same time.
At times, anger and frustration are caused by the real and unavoidable challenges in life. Rather than get caught up in the helplessness or hopelessness of a situation, people can use a cognitive, problem-solving approach to work it out. With the understanding that getting angry won’t fix anything or make you feel better—and may actually make you feel worse—it helps to problem-solve and work through it.
Many times, people have a disagreement and blurt out the first hurtful thing they can think of to get the upper edge. Stopping to listen to what the other person has to say and thinking about what you want to accomplish can save yourself from anger, time and wasted effort.
Humor is a great way to defuse the situation. By taking a second to put the situation in a comical context, people can change their perspective. Individuals find it hard to stay angry when they are laughing to themselves. Try not to take the situation too seriously.
Walk away from the immediate environment. A change of scenery can boost the mood or perspective. It applies for any emotion people find themselves stuck in. Take a break, walk away and do something different—upon returning, the issue that caused such anger can be looked at in a fresher way with a more positive attitude.
Don’t wait any longer to begin anger management control at Thriveworks in Pflugerville, TX. Therapists can help you to recognize the causes of your anger, teach you how to respond to its triggers in positive ways and provide the most effective anger management treatment plan. Call Thriveworks in Pflugerville, TX at (512) 955-3074 today to get started on the path to leading a healthier life–mentally and physically.
