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Anger
Problems
Anger can be a difficult
emotion to deal with and understand. Anger can be a constructive and
healthy response that alerts us that our rights are being violated and
motivates us to take appropriate action. (“I am no longer going to
allow myself to be treated this way!”) Anger can also be a defensive
reaction to a more vulnerable feeling, usually hurt or shame (“How dare
she criticize me!”) Often anger is too intense. At times, we might
feel enraged and out of control, like we might explode. (“You S.O.B.
---I’ll show you!”)
Treatment
of Anger
The
first step with anger is to determine whether it is (1) an appropriate
response to a situation and therefore needs to be allowed, accepted and,
usually, expressed: (2) obscuring a more basic, threatening feeling in
which case anger needs to be understood as a defensive reaction and then
bypassed to help the client face and deal with the more basic feeling;
or (3) too intense and therefore needs to be regulated so the client can
choose when to express himself in a more controlled and effective
manner.
Change strategies need to be
tailored to these different states of anger. With disavowal or over
control of anger, the therapist helps the client increase his awareness
of the anger components, including physical sensations and thoughts.
The client then often needs to challenge dysfunctional thoughts that
inhibit the expression of anger (e.g. “I shouldn’t express these
feelings – it wouldn’t be nice”). Finally, the client may benefit from
coaching on how to express the anger appropriately by developing an
assertive style that can promote respect or even closeness with others.
With under control of anger,
the client is coached to develop skills of emotional regulation. These
include identifying and challenging the beliefs that can fuel anger;
learning relaxation skills to help soothe the intense physiological
sensations that accompany rage; and mindfulness skills. Mindfulness
skills enable the client get distance from intense, disorganizing
feelings, yet also promote awareness and insight. This helps the client
take appropriate action rather than be victimized by anger.
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SM