Short Pump, VA Anger Management Counseling
Effective Anger Management Starts with Assertiveness & Self-Control
Many of us in today’s world find ourselves caught up in situations where uncontrolled anger, and even violence, is expressed. According to recent statistics, 80% of all drivers have been involved in road rage, while nearly half of us, male and female, have participated in workplace anger “blow ups” at least once. Anger management is lacking in our society, and it’s even trickling down to younger people on an ever-growing basis. If you or a loved one have been struggling with anger management issues, you’re certainly not alone.
Anger is an emotion stemming from feelings of hurt, loss, disappointment or frustration. Unexpected and uncontrollable outbursts of anger can be hurtful and harmful to our interpersonal relationships; sometimes permanently. Anger management issues can actually stem from a lack of assertiveness or, in other words, holding onto feelings that need to be constructively expressed instead of allowing them to fester inside. This is referred to clinically as passive anger. Over time, suppressing an emotion like anger may lead to health problems including high blood pressure, heart issues, headaches and digestive disorders.
Symptoms of Poor Anger Management Include these
When you or someone close to you is struggling with anger management, look for these warning signs:
- Feeling hot around the neck and face areas
- Stronger-than-normal and/or more rapid heart rate
- Shaking or trembling
- Clenching of the jaw or grinding of teeth
- Stomach ache
- Excessive sweating, especially in the palms of their hands
Whenever a loud, violent and sometimes unexpected outbreak of behavior takes place, anger is not being managed properly. Individuals with anger management control issues also typically break objects without any regard for their safety, or the safety of others. Improper anger management, if not addressed, can endanger others and damage relationships at school, work, in the home, and elsewhere.
Individuals who lack proper anger management coping skills will typically engage in other unhealthy behaviors, such as:
- Alcohol and illicit drug abuse
- Criminal behaviors
- Emotional and physical abuse to others including children
- Self-inflicted injuries, for example “cutting”
Obviously, these activities are not healthy for anyone, and need to be addressed by trained professionals. There are ways to treat people with anger management and assertiveness problems, including methods they can employ themselves. The first step for you or your loved one is to admit outside help is needed.
Outpatient Coaching with a Thriveworks Henrico Counselor can Help Anger Management Patients Cope
When it’s time for you or your loved one to make some positive anger management changes, there are plenty of viable lifestyle modifications to use. Here are some of the better, clinically-proven methods to try:
- When you feel anger welling up inside, breathe deeply while repeating a calming word or phrase over and over, like “relax”. Keep repeating this process until the anger subsides.
- Avoid alcohol or illicit drugs that might lower your inhibitions and allow anger to rise.
- Exercise routinely to “burn off” steam and diffuse pent-up anger while benefitting your body and mind. Practices like Yoga will do this very well, along with activities like walking, weight-lifting, martial arts, Pilates, etc.
- Keep a daily log documenting your angry feelings and why they are there. Also, use your record keeping to track progress and reward good behavior.
- Develop and practice good listening skills. Put yourself in the other person’s “shoes” and learn to see situations better from their perspective.
- Learn how to express anger in a constructive way and don’t hold it in. This is part of assertiveness training, which will teach you how to express feelings calmly yet firmly.
- Share your feelings with a trained anger management coach on a regular basis. These counseling sessions will help you identify the root source of your anger if you’re not sure what that is, and coping skills to control anger moving forward.
Thriveworks Henrico, VA Anger Management Coaching is Just a Phone Call Away!
Whether you choose to use any or all of the above recommendations, the bottom line is this: Don’t go it alone. Left untreated, poor anger management can become progressively more damaging, while the emotional, mental, financial and even physical burden eventually becomes impossible to bear for you or your loved one. For more information on anger management, our counseling services in general, or how to become a certified counseling coach, call: 804-205-3408 or visit our Contact page now.
