Anger can be a healthy emotion in response to a perceived threat or discomfort, preventing others from taking advantage and communicating what’s going on internally. Anger can motivate something positive, but becomes an issue when not managed in a healthy way. Physiologically, it causes the body to release adrenaline, muscles to tighten and heart rate and blood pressure to increase. Senses might feel more acute, and face and hands flushed.
Some common triggers for anger include, but are not limited to:
Early treatment to manage extreme anger effectively reduces the chances of individuals turning to less healthy coping mechanisms. Candidates for treatment include those whose anger:
Anger management training comes in a variety of lengths and delivery methods, depending on an individual’s needs. It typically includes use of tools and methods, such as one-on-one or group therapy, online or live sessions, worksheets and activity plans or relaxation techniques like yoga. It includes:
Unlearning problem behavior and learning instead to cope well by practicing techniques to recognize and respond to triggers and to state one’s concerns and needs clearly and directly, without hurting others or trying to control them.
Developing a plan with the therapist to control outward behavior and internal responses by calming oneself and letting angry feelings subside, for example, by removing oneself from that situation, taking a walk or calling a trusted friend.
Improving self-care to increase one’s frustration tolerance rather than suppressing anger—turning anger inward or expressing it through passive-aggressive behavior—by getting a good night’s sleep, exercising, cultivating hobbies or a self-care routine and practicing general stress management each day.
Avoiding alcohol or recreational or illegal drugs, substances that can increase aggressiveness and the risk of explosive outbursts.
Some research suggests that inappropriately expressing anger—such as keeping anger pent up—can be harmful to one’s health. Suppressing anger appears to make chronic pain worse, while expressing anger reduces pain.
Research shows about 1 in 13 U.S. adults has experienced anger issues. Anger is a common symptom among adults seeking mental health treatment. In a study of 1,300 adults seeking treatment, half reported experiencing moderate-to-severe anger and one-quarter reported extreme anger leading to aggressive behavior.
In extreme or dysfunctional forms, anger may also lead to adverse health consequences and trigger maladaptive behaviors, including workplace hostility, domestic violence and criminal behavior.
There’s also evidence that anger and hostility is linked with heart disease, peptic ulcers and stroke. Physical signs of anger include:
Anger is common among individuals with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorders, agoraphobia and personality disorders.
Emotional signs of anger include:
Behavioral signs of anger include:
Anger is also linked to sociodemographic characteristics:
