Anger is part of the spectrum of human emotions, and is a natural reaction when we feel frustrated, hard done by, upset, or offended. From mild irritation if someone is annoying you at work, to intense fury if someone close to you has betrayed your trust, anger can also manifest as physical changes in our bodies: an increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, or heightened adrenaline.
When we’re angry, we may express it by yelling, arguing, cursing, or using sarcasm. Anger is sometimes expressed physically, for example, if someone raises a clenched fist, throws something, or hits something. When we internalise anger, we end up ruminating instead of expressing or processing our emotions.
While anger is natural and part of being human, it still needs to be managed. Misdirected anger can affect your safety and the well-being of the people around you.
Frequent episodes of extreme anger have been linked to chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, recurrent headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, and insomnia, as well as psychological issues like anxiety and depression.
If anger negatively impacts your life or relationships, seeking professional help can help you get that hot-headed, fiery feeling under control. A trained mental health professional can guide you in managing your anger effectively, helping you regain control over your emotions and express yourself in a healthy way.
Feeling angry in response to unfair situations, unreasonable people, or in times of injustice is perfectly understandable. However, when anger becomes disproportionate or triggered by minor annoyances, or manifests in harmful ways, it may be worth looking into further and exploring how support might help you reduce episodes of intense anger.
Pay attention to what it feels like when you get angry and what anger prompts you to do, and don’t be afraid to seek help if you experience any of the below:
If you struggle with regulating feelings of anger and managing your emotions, Anger Management Counselling could help you regain a sense of control over how you feel.
Effective anger management requires a thorough evaluation and assessment, as everyone’s situation is unique. It’s essential to identify and treat any underlying mental health issues that you may be experiencing, address relationship difficulties that may influence your anger, and manage any alcohol or substance use.
At New Leaf, our counsellors specialise in helping you identify and avoid triggers that provoke your anger, manage anger symptoms, and regulate your emotions in triggering scenarios. We know it’s not always easy, but through targeted counselling, you can learn to recognise the telltale signs of escalating anger and use proven coping mechanisms to manage your state.
With the support of counselling, you can expect to maintain a more mature and balanced attitude in the face of triggering situations and express yourself in a calmer, more regulated way.
In Anger Management Counselling, a counsellor will help you identify triggers and understand how your reactions affect your life. You’ll learn to recognise and change negative thought patterns through techniques like Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Brainspotting (BS) or Stress Inoculation Training (SIT). Don’t worry if these terms or modalities sound unfamiliar; your counsellor will create a bespoke treatment plan in line with your unique needs and explain everything along the way.
Sessions will focus on developing new ways to resolve conflicts, identifying actionable steps to manage anger, and using science-backed techniques to express yourself in a balanced, constructive manner when you feel angry. At New Leaf Counselling, you can expect a personalised approach tailored to your specific situation from a trained mental health professional with a proven track record of helping clients manage their anger.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing anger issues, professional counselling can provide support to help manage anger effectively. If you are interested in seeking help, please schedule an appointment by completing the contact form here. Our expert staff will guide you through the application process and pair you with a suitable counsellor.
Dealing with anger can be challenging, but counselling isn’t a one-and-done solution.
At New Leaf Counselling, we pride ourselves on a unique holistic approach, which combines counselling, breath-work, and yoga to set you up for success long after each counselling session. By prescribing our clients a bespoke action plan to tackle their anger from different approaches, you can expect a comprehensive solution for effective long-term anger management, beyond just talk therapy.
Whether you are struggling to stay calm with your children or finding yourself experiencing outbursts at work, we are here to help. We blend counselling, breath-work practices, and lifestyle modifications to nurture your long-term resilience and reframe your relationship with anger. Our counsellors’ empathetic approach ensures that every single client that walks through our doors feels deeply cared for and understood.
Yoga and breath-work are two examples of the many effective tools for emotional regulation and mental health. Our practitioners guide you to adopt these practices to promote a sense of calm, enhance self-awareness, and improve emotional balance, which is crucial for managing anger effectively.
If you want to explore a holistic approach to managing your anger, New Leaf is the perfect starting point. Learn more and get in touch with our team today.
Understanding anger: How psychologists help with Anger Problems (2019) American Psychological Association. Available at: https://www.apa.org/topics/anger/understanding (Accessed: Summer 2024).
Anger (2022) NHS . Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/anger/ (Accessed: Summer 2024).
Sapolsky, R.M. and Berkrot, P. (2015) Why zebras don’t get ulcers. Old Saybrook: Tantor Audio.
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