Are anger issues real?

Thank you for your question, reader. In short, it is not uncommon for people to have difficulties getting a handle on their reactions when they feel angry. Feeling angry is a normal and natural reaction to certain situations, events, or even thoughts. Usually when we hear someone use the phrase “anger issues”, they are referring to the problems that can come from feeling anger and not having effective tools to handle or express that anger. The behaviors that come out of feeling anger, which can sometimes result in serious consequences are the real “issue”. There are some mental health conditions that can make it more difficult to communicate or express anger in a healthy manner. Some people with anxiety or mood disorders thought disorders, autism spectrum disorder, or personality disorders can be more likely to struggle with managing anger.

What should I do if I have a lot of anger?

            If managing anger is challenging for you, you could likely benefit from anger management counseling. Some of what you will do in counseling will be to work on identifying how and when you are more likely to feel anger, make a plan for what to do when anger starts to build, and learn some new tools to identify and outlet your feelings in a healthy manner. Some simple techniques to practice when you are feeling anger are to tell someone else how you are feeling, practice deep breathing, take a short break from the situation, and do some simple stretches. These can often serve to diffuse anger and help calm the bodily response that often comes with feeling angry, such as increased heart rate and shortness of breath.

            If the tools that you practice to manage anger don’t seem to be working, a mental health professional can help you to learn to cope with anger effectively. Remember that anger is natural and nothing to apologize for; however, sometimes the actions that come out of anger require taking responsibility for. Acknowledging that you acted in a way that affected others negatively when you were angry can go a long way towards relationship (and other) repair.