We all experience anger, many of us on a daily basis.
There is no shortage of things to incite anger or rage. Reading the headlines,
the employee or associate who always
gets it wrong no matter what, the computer that absolutely will not work, the long commute home in parking-lot conditions –
all these and countless other circumstances can fuel our anger. Some degree of
anger is understandable. If someone smashed your headlights, you have the right
to be furious about it. But when does
anger tip over into irrationality? Most would agree it is when the rage or the
reaction does not fit the situation, or when harm to property or violence is
the result. When one feels overpowered by anger – when someone cannot trust
himself or herself in moments of intense rage – that is the red light flashing
on the dial, and immediate attention is needed.
“Anger Management” is a general term for various
therapies and classes designed to help an individual deal with anger issues.
These can be court mandated or voluntary, intended to address various
categories of anger. Anger can be
chronic, or a person can be prone to acute episodes brought on by specific
environmental triggers. In other instances, the episodes can occur without warning
and for no apparent reason. Any attempt to deal with anger would have to deal
with the following factors:
o The
causes of anger – physical, mental and environmental.
o Differentiation
between the emotion of anger, and the actions of the individual.
o Dealing
with the fact that a person will inevitably experience anger in daily life.
The holistic
approach to anger management would isolate the causes, and utilize effective
methodologies to deal with anger. Some of the causes and remedies
for anger are:
·
Drug and
alcohol abuse – Many addicts and alcoholics have anger problems. They may
have had anger issues to begin with, which are exacerbated by substance abuse.
In this extreme circumstance, anger is only part of the problem, and
rehabilitation is needed. The task then is finding the right program. Holistic
treatment, such as that delivered by Best Drug Rehabilitation, may be the right
choice for you or a loved one.
· Poor
nutrition – When a person doesn’t eat properly, he or she can be in a state
of constant agitation. Seemingly harmless or minor incidents can trigger angry or
violent reactions. The “triggers” are not really to blame. The person simply is
not in the right condition to deal with it. Check what the person is eating. Is
it a steady diet of fast food? Switch to whole foods, and balanced meals
containing protein and fresh fruits and vegetables. Then observe the
difference.
· Lack of
sleep – A person, no matter how rational they are normally, can feel or act
rather psychotic when they have not slept. Insomnia could be a factor. Remedies
for getting proper rest include calcium
and magnesium, tryptophan supplement, herbal tea, exercise, and taking walks to
wind down. The difference in one’s outlook when properly rested can be like
night and day.
· Vitamin
and mineral deficiencies – Proper nutrition includes getting the necessary
vitamins and minerals. Lack of B-Vitamins,
for example, can produce a state of irritability in a person that can
contribute to anger episodes. Taking a B-Complex
vitamin, as well as other supplements – such as a multi-vitamin – will help ease one’s general state of mind.
· Allergies
and irritants – Many people suffer from allergies and reactions to airborne
irritants without even realizing it. Food allergies, pollen, dust, animal
dander, mold spores in old homes and moist climates, and other factors can
produce illness and mental reactions. Everyone reacts differently to such
elements. Professional tests can and should be done when warranted. Standard
testing exists for airborne particulates and mold. For allergies, a multitude
of medical tests exist, which can uncover previously unknown allergies in
children and adults.
· Environmental
triggers – Certain factors or circumstances can trigger anger in
individuals. These are as varied as there are situations in life. They can
range from a certain song that comes on the radio, to a specific person or personality
type. It could be a certain type of communication breakdown. For example, many
people experience anger when they feel their communication has gone
unacknowledged or ignored. Isolating these factors, as best as possible, can go
a long way towards controlling anger. When one knows the triggers, he or she
can develop a plan to either avoid that specific trigger, or deal with it rationally.
When the trigger is unknown, he or she can likewise know when it is time to
step outside, take a walk, or otherwise ease the situation.
· Accountability
– It is vital to recognize the difference between the emotion of anger and
one’s actions while angry. It is easy to claim “no control,” and accountability
must play a part. Being able to take responsibility for one’s actions and how
one treats others is an essential component in dealing with anger and other
emotions.
· Developing
a plan – Another component is recognizing that you’re going to get angry
about things. Formulating a plan to deal with anger is not just a good idea –
it is your failsafe. Actions to take
could range from simple routines like deep
breathing or going outside to cool
off, to calling up or going to see a trusted
ally – someone who you know is level-headed and can help guide you out of
the danger zone. But what if you’re in the car and experiencing road rage?
Maybe a certain CD puts you at ease. Whatever the game plan, put some work into
it. You’ll thank yourself later, and so might others.
· Communication
– Whatever the approach, communication is always essential. Talking things
over with a family member, friend,
pastor, or counselor will play a vital role in the anger management
equation. Even the most deep-seated issues can begin to resolve through
communication. Communication is like water. You can’t live without it.
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