Understanding anger, it can be said that it is not uncommon for one to be violent or hurtful while they are angry. Regrettably, when people act out of anger, they unwittingly often tend to insult or even physical abuse others including their loved ones. Such responses to anger turn out to be more about the enthusiastic minute than about finding an answer for what caused the anger.

Well anger is basically just like any other emotion and emotions are perfectly normal. In fact, if anger is to be dealt appropriately, it can be considered as a healthy emotion. Every individual feels angry from time to time. Yet again, anger can reduce our inhibitions and make us act inappropriately.

So what is the actual cause of anger?

Internal events are thought patterns, including superficial failures or injustices; individuals for the most part can be taught to take control of such thoughts. External events are distressing incidents caused by other people and are generally outside of the individual’s control.

Anger management concerns recognising the triggers for anger at the earliest and expressing these feelings and frustrations in a cool, calm and collective way. It is a term used to describe the skills one needs to recognise or understand themselves or someone else, that if they are becoming angry and are taking appropriate actions to deal with the situation in a positive way or so.

How does therapy help?

As discussed earlier, most people get angry for at least a few times a week and yes, that is perfectly normal. What’s not normal is, the intense anger that happens more commonly and lasts longer than the brief frustration that most of us occasionally feel. However, therapy can help. Psychologists use three basic strategies to treat anger:

• Relaxation techniques
• Cognitive therapy
• Skill development

At times, the therapist may even combine all the above three approaches for them to work best.

Improving one’s ability to manage anger has several benefits as, they feel like they have more control when life throws challenges at them and knowing how to express themselves assertively mean that they won’t feel the agitation or frustration of holding their anger in to avoid getting into trouble by offending someone or hurting their feelings. All in all, anger management helps:

• Communicate better and talk to out expressing one’s feelings
• Have a better physical and mental health
• Help avoid substance abuse escapes