Anger is a natural human emotion that can break many things apart! It’s really difficult to see your loved one, children, friend, family member, or co-worker struggling through anger issues. When anger starts taking challenging forms (mild annoyance to extreme), it starts progressing and it keeps on getting severe which can be severe in several ways.
If your loved one is struggling with extreme anger issues, frequently gets angry, or is unable to control anger despite knowing and understanding the consequences, they might be struggling with anger issues.
Before anger issues convert into destructive anger, it’s better to support or help your loved ones to regulate their emotions. Anger issues are manageable with the right approach.
This blog can help as a guide to help or support someone with anger issues. So, let’s get started!
Anger Issues
When someone cannot control constant/frequent anger episodes, people start doing, speaking, and acting things that can cause regret or extreme consequences are defined as anger issues.
Psychologically, anger issues can be caused by various factors like financial problems, family problems, stress, anxiety, or any other underlying mental health condition such as:
Depression
Grief
Intermittent explosive disorder
Bipolar disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Alcohol or substance abuse
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Signs of Anger Issues
Anger issues can be seen in different ways, such as:
Constant irritability (irritating personality or irritating others)
Snapping personality even when they’re asked for normal stuff
Frequent or constant anger
Unidentifiable triggers of anger
Holds a grudge easily
Revenge seeking behaviors
Involved in self-harm or harming others (verbally, physically, or emotionally)
Extremely annoyed by normal things
Intolerant of others weaknesses or mistakes
Gets angry over past
Sulking or sullen behavior
Expresses their rage through self-harm or harming other objecting (like slamming doors, aggressive behavior, or punching walls)
Violent personality
Extreme anger (level 10 anger in response to 0/10 level)
Impacts of Anger Issues
Anger issues can be short-term and long-term impacting, for example, if a kid is constantly showing anger issues, they might develop this habit in adulthood as well. Anger issues can impact someone’s professional life, personal life, overall well-being, and quality of life.
Impacts on Health
Increased heart rate
Muscle tension
Increased blood pressure
Hormonal rush (adrenaline)
Frequent or constant headaches
Anxiety
Increased risk of mental health issues like depression, ADHD, OCD, and others
Increased risk of physical health issues like constant body pain, upset stomach, heart disease, and others
Impacts on Personal and Professional Life
Difficulty dealing with co-workers, family members, friends, or partner
Lack of trust, lack of honest conversation, uncomfortable expressions, and negative talks around the professional and personal life
Social isolation as people are unaware of the triggers
Violent or aggressive tendencies can harm them or others or make them feel unsafe
Therapy Options to Help Someone with Anger Issues
If you are looking forward to ways to help or support someone with anger issues, it’s essential to encourage them to connect with a mental health professional. A mental health professional can help your loved one to assess their issues, triggers, and presence of any other mental health condition.
Therefore, the first ever step to take is to connect with a mental health professional and learn about different therapy options that can help someone with proper and effective anger management.
Here are some effective therapies for anger management that can help treat anger, anger issues, and its symptoms:
1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most effective and common therapy systems which identifies negative thought patterns and replaces them with positive behaviors.
2. Family therapy
Family therapy helps in addressing issues and triggers related to anger and family. This therapy helps in resolving issues with the partner, siblings, parents, children, and others to improve communication and promote forgiveness.
3. Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy promotes better understanding by addressing the root causes behind someone’s anger.
4. Internal family systems therapy
Family systems therapy is based on family systems theory that works on emotions and triggers within a family.
Helping Someone with Anger Issues
Helping a partner
Stay calm and try to understand them
It might be difficult to not last out in response, try to stay mindful (even if it’s difficult)
Encourage them to express their emotions so that you can understand the root cause
In order to build healthy relationships, set physical and emotional boundaries with them
Create an emergency support plan
Helping your kid
Let your child express their emotions and teach them coping skills
Create an anger tracking board or anger thermometer
Develop a calm-down plan for your children and set healthy boundaries
Teach anger management skills or encourage your children to join anger management classes
Follow through with the consequences
Helping your friend/family member/colleague
Try to understand their feelings and do not last out them in response
Set healthy boundaries with friends (even if it’s digital)
Listen to them empathetically
Create your safety plan in case of violence or abuse
Consider leaving or ending a toxic relationship (only if it’s an option for you)
Share anger management apps or books with them
I hope this blog helps you understand how to help someone with anger issues. For more such content, connect with us through social media platforms.
Thanks for reading!
The post How to Help Someone With Anger Issues appeared first on Calm Sage – Your Guide to Mental and Emotional Well-being.
