What is Anger Management?

Anger is often considered as one of the dominant forms of emotion. It vents out when the person feels frustrated, annoyed and disappointed beyond an extent. It is a normal type of emotion and is one of the most expressive forms. However, when the anger turns to come out at frequent intervals, then it would be a cause for concern, and you might need professional help soon. Anger can be harmful, or it might be helpful and often depends on how you express anger. In some cases, it can help you reach goals or achieve what you want to, but when it is overused or when it doesn’t come out in appropriate ways then it can be destructive for you as well as for people around you. 

Anger like other emotions can be harmful if suppressed for longer periods. Chronic anger can lead to many health hazards like heart conditions, headaches, skin disorders, and digestive disorders. They also tend to cause high blood pressure and can be harmful in the long run. Taking appropriate steps to control your anger is very much needed. Anger mismanagement can lead to abuse, crime, hurtful tendencies and violent behavior if not properly addressed. There is a particular branch of treatment that deals with anger management issues. 

What causes anger?

There are numerous basic triggers for anger, for example, sense of irritated, feeling as though your opinions or endeavours aren't valued, and experiencing injustice. Other than that resentment due to recollections of awful or angering occasions and tension over personal issues. Besides these common triggers Acquired propensities, brain chemistry or a mental condition can also be the reason to innate angry outbursts.

How to treat anger?

There is no specific treatment of anger, though its intensity can be reduced by practising some exercises and therapies. Here are some techniques to deal with anger. 

• Converting the anger into a physical sensation: It may look more self-harming but it has found that releasing the anger into a physical sensation when a person is angry, reduces the emotional intensity of that anger. That physical sensation could be, punching a soft toy or any other thing.

• Counselling: Psychiatrists or anger management physicians provide proper counselling for short-tempered individuals and try to reduce their anger by communication and some activities to make bonds with them.

• Stretching the tension areas: moving shoulder or massaging neck and scalp hits the tension points and helps in reducing the anger.

How does anger management work?

Anger management helps you to perceive frustration faster and resolve it in a manner that enables you to keep yourself quiet & control and makes you capable to express your needs. Anger management includes some effective therapies and exercises that help in reducing the intensity of anger as well as prepares a person to react better in difficult situations. 

How anger management therapy done?

One of the common traits of the treatment will involve as to how you can take things lightly. You might be taught to see the situation from a different perspective. More importantly, you might be prepared to take everything in a humorous way and laugh it over. Anger management helps you to identify yourself and accept the things that you cannot change. In some rare cases, medications and drugs can be involved to have a calming effect. In case you are suffering from depression then anti-depression pills might be prescribed. While choosing a therapist, make sure that you choose one with many years of experience and who is competent enough to address your issues. 

Who would need anger management therapy?

All the individuals who have issues in controlling their anger and who are easily provoked by an event can be an eligible candidate for such procedures. These are more of a psychological treatment that creates a balance between the individual’s nature and his surroundings. The treatment can be done at an early stage if the person has a history of psychological imbalances.

Who is not eligible for the treatment?

Anger management treatment can be had by everyone irrespective of the age. There can be some medications and anti-depression drugs involved. Hence please consult with your doctor about this and if you have any other medical conditions, make sure that the physicist prescribes only the right type of drugs for you which is suitable to your needs.

What are the side effects of anger management therapy?

There are no visible long-term side effects however since this treatment involves therapies from a psychological point of view, you might be asked to stay away from certain activities. You might be asked to change your lifestyle and your dietary habits. Also since anti-depression drugs might be involved, there can be some mood swings initially, but these things go away on their own once your body adjusts to the treatment.

What are the post-treatment guidelines?

The biggest guideline will be to change your lifestyle and also your environment if the situation demands it. Anger is not exactly a disease but an emotion that gets out of hand and can harm your body both physically and mentally. You would be advised to stay in a fresh and peaceful environment where the stress does not affect you. In case your nature of work is the root cause of your condition then you might be asked to look for a change in work.

How long does it take to recover?

There is no exact time limit for a person to get treated as anger management treatment depends on an individual and how far he/she is willing to open their inner feelings. These are usually undergone by therapies and consist of multiple sessions and depending on the patient’s condition the doctor would suggest the number of sessions the individual must have.

How much does it cost to have an anger management session in India?

In India, the treatment plan depends on the number of sessions a person has for the treatment. It also depends on the city and the medical center where he/she undergoes the treatment. On an average, the session can cost from INR 250 to INR 500. The post-treatment medications and drugs can be additional to these charges.

Does anger management therapy works?

The treatment focuses on getting the stress levels and your issues with controlling the emotions under control. Hence the permanency of the anger management treatment depends on how you are faring with treatment and how far you are willing to go to keep the anger sensations under check. Drugs and medications can help only to an extent.

What are anger management tips?

Some of the tips a person can imply by their own to control their temper are- 

• Taking long and deep breaths: Take some deep breaths. Slow breathing relaxes brain cells and reduces tension. The key is to inhale profoundly from the stomach area and getting as much natural air as it could be expected into your lungs.

• Use senses: Use your senses. An individual can reduce its intensity of anger by changing their sense of sight, touch, taste, hearing and smell. For example, listening to a song or imagine a favourite place. 

• Count to ten: The most common yet effective way of releasing anger is by making the restless mind to run at a slow pace. Sometimes 10 counts are not enough to get calm, in that case, it is advised to start the counting again.

• A quick walk: A short walk around the street can be a good idea as doing any physical exercise discharges outrage vitality so you can approach the circumstance with a cooler head.

What are the alternatives to the treatment?

As an alternative to the anger management treatment, you can indulge yourself in your favourite past time, or you can seriously take part in sports activities. You can also be open to other forms of treatment such as yoga and meditation to keep the emotions under control. Always maintain a healthy lifestyle, and this can be a huge difference in how you manage your anger conditions.

Key Highlights:

Safety: Very High

Effectiveness: Medium

Timeliness: Medium

Relative Risk: Very Low

Side Effects: Low

Recovery Time: Medium