Anger
Do you find yourself expressing this in explosive outbreaks?
Do you have emotional outbursts such as crying or violence?
Do you feel a loss of control?
Do you experience unexpected panic or rage or struggle to express your anger?
How we can help
Anger is a normal and natural human response to life’s situations, and we are all likely to experience anger during our lives. However, sometimes we can find ourselves feeling like our anger is not in our control or unwanted. While these emotions are unique for every individual some examples of the emotions you may experience are highlighted above. Anger is recognised as a known symptom of several mental health conditions.
If you can relate to any of these experiences, or are finding the way you experience anger troubling or unhealthy for you, anger counselling enables you to speak confidentially to someone in a supportive and non-judgemental environment. It can be an excellent opportunity to explore what is going on and work towards change.
Anger – Adults
Anger can cause many different symptoms and may affect how you feel physically or mentally, or how you behave. Some people can display anger externally towards others whilst some may take their anger out on themselves. Recognising the signs of anger can sometimes be difficult. Anger counselling helps to identify triggers.
Physical:
- faster heartbeat
- tense muscles
- clenching your fists
- tightness in your chest
- feeling hot
Mental:
- feeling tense or nervous
- being unable to relax
- being easily irritated
- feeling humiliated
- resenting other people
Behaviour:
- shouting
- ignoring people or sulking
- starting fights
- breaking things
- self-harming
Anger – Young People
Some young people struggle more than others to control feelings of anger and find it hard to sort problems out. Angry feelings and aggressive behaviour can be incredibly hard to manage and can have a big impact on family life as well as a negative impact on the young person. Anger counselling can help young people or parent/carers in developing techniques to control their emotions.
Physical:
- their heart beats faster
- their muscles tense
- they clench their teeth
- they make a fist
- their stomach churns
Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)
Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is impulse-controlled and characterized by sudden episodes of unwarranted anger. It is typified by hostility, impulsivity, and recurrent aggressive outbursts. People with IED essentially “explode” into a rage despite a lack of apparent provocation or reason.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
It is fairly common for people with PTSD to experience anger. Anger counselling can support you by using positive methods to gain control.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
People with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development:
Inattention:
Six or more symptoms of inattention for children up to age 16 years, or five or more for adolescents age 17 years and older and adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level:
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.
- Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).
- Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.
- Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
- Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
- Is often easily distracted
- Is often forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity:
Six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity for children up to age 16 years, or five or more for adolescents age 17 years and older and adults; symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for the person’s developmental level:
- Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
- Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.
- Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless).
- Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.
- Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.
- Often talks excessively.
- Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.
- Often has trouble waiting their turn.
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Signs of ODD generally begin during preschool years or later but always before a young person reaches their teen years. The behaviours associated with ODD can cause significant impairment with family, social activities, school and work. The criteria for diagnosis of ODD consist of angry and irritable moods, argumentative and defiant behaviour, vindictiveness and extend over a six month period.