What is anger?
Raw, powerful, and frequently problematic, anger is one of the basic human emotions. The purpose of this emotion is to prepare us to fight.
Although fighting can include throwing punches on rare occasions; more often it’s about combating personal struggles or problems we have with our surroundings. Whether it’s the people around us or the situation we find ourselves in.
When does anger become problematic?
Whilst anger is beneficial and can be channeled to bring about positive changes, it can also bring about unwanted situations. If mobilised too easily or frequently, anger can seriously damage all areas of your life including:
- Relationships
- Legal Standing
- Work Performance
- Mental Health
How do I know if I need counselling?
If you find yourself behaving in a frightening and ‘out of control’ manner when anger hits, you might need help in learning more effective ways to manage this emotion. A licensed mental health professional can work with you to develop a range of techniques for making changes to both the way you think and react.
What should I know about choosing a mental health professional?
When choosing a mental health professional, it’s imperative to ask them about what anger management approach they use. Look elsewhere if it’s simply attempting to put you in touch with your feelings and how you express them. Effective anger management goes beyond feeling and expression. It’s about how your thoughts manifest in your behaviour. Basically how you put your thoughts into actions. Once this is understood you will begin your journey of feeling and responding differently. This awareness is the beginning of resolving the issue or issues driving your anger.
How long might it take to bring my anger under control?
The timeframe for fundamental change very much depends on the circumstances as well as the clinical relationship and techniques used in therapy. Addressing anger is a process that involves you learning how to trust yourself and also your surroundings to be safe. Psychologists claim that a person can move from a high range of anger to a medium range in only eight to ten weeks. However, there is no definitive answer.
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