Anger is one of the basic human emotions, as elemental as happiness sadness, anxiety, or disgust. These emotions are tied to basic survival and were honed over the course of human history. However, anger is like an iceberg. It is the only emotion we often show to others, but underneath is a multitude of feelings that are being overridden by anger. The key in therapy is to acknowledge what emotions we are actually feelings before we react with anger.
Anger is related to the “fight, flight, or freeze” response of the sympathetic nervous system; it prepares humans to fight. But fighting doesn't necessarily mean throwing punches. It might motivate communities to combat injustice by changing laws or enforcing new norms.
Of course, anger too easily or frequently mobilized can undermine relationships or damage physical health in the long term. Prolonged release of the stress hormones that accompany anger can destroy neurons in areas of the brain associated with judgment and short term memory, and weaken the immune system.
For those who struggle with chronic anger, or for those who only experience occasional outbursts, learning skills to identify and navigate this powerful emotion can lead to growth and change.
We will address these and other symptoms to identify alternative coping responses to emotions.
*Low tolerance for discomfort *Low tolerance for ambiguity *Hyperfocused on blaming others *Fragile ego *Focusing on what we cannot control *A sense of Entitlement *Refusing to see others’ perspectives