Anger Management: Addressing the Problem at the Source

“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured” – Mark Twain

There are a lot of reasons why people struggle with anger. In my experience, pop-psychology explanations of the phenomenon of unmanaged anger are often oversimplified. Historically, mainstream behavioral healthcare has lumped its attempts to address this costly problem into a blanket category of “anger management.” This has resulted in treatments that are manualized into a one-size-fits-all solution that can be taught in a classroom. For some people, this may be effective. However, it undermines the nuanced nature of personality and human behavior. People are individuals. Those that over-react often do so for very different reasons.     

Personality and Maladaptive Coping

There are aspects of personality and behavior that are very much heritable. Some people are simply more reactive than others. Many of them are born that way. This pattern can often be observed during infancy. Some children are “sensitive,” “fussy’” or “difficult.” Many times, parents learn to accommodate that behavior to manage it. We may be inclined to “Just give her the toy!” or “Let him watch what he wants!” or “Give him the candy” to assuage a temper tantrum. While this strategy may provide parents with temporary relief from a child who is prone to acting out, it often reinforces the “tantrum behavior” as a viable strategy for getting one’s needs met. This is a form of maladaptive social learning.  

The unfortunate result is that the child evolves into an adolescent and adult with little frustration tolerance. Society does not reward adult temper tantrums. The result of this type of learning in childhood is adult interpersonal relationships and behavior characterized by problems. 

Individuals like this often benefit from therapy. When given the opportunity to unlearn maladaptive coping skills, the person can learn more appropriate ways to get their needs met. Psychotherapy provides opportunities to improve communication, accountability, and empathy for others in order to improve relationships. 

Mental Health

Simply stated, individuals with anger management issues often have untreated mental health disorders. Mood instability and anxiety can lead to emotional dysregulation and a loss of self-control. When people are cycling through the various phases of these conditions, they may be prone to explosive behavior that feels very much out of control. Exploring and addressing these issues can result in greater stability and self-control. Individuals with these types of conditions often benefit greatly from a referral to a psychiatrist in addition to therapy to address the thinking and behavior that results from depression, mood instability or anxiety. Sometimes, it takes a combination of approaches to address the behavioral issues associated with mental health issues. The important thing to understand is that uncontrolled anger will not likely resolve itself unless the mental health issue is treated.  

Substance Misuse

Ingesting substances that are mood-altering impairs judgment and puts individuals at risk for aggressive behavior that might otherwise be uncharacteristic of the person. A great deal of clients seeking treatment for anger management have untreated substance use disorders and have acted out aggressively during periods of substance misuse. Particularly, the correlation between alcohol abuse and violent crime is well documented. At one time, the US Department of Justice reported that nearly 36% of violent offenders were under the influence of alcohol at the time offenses were committed. 

Health

Additionally, there are several health conditions that can significantly impact mood and result in hostile or aggressive behavior. Hormone imbalances, medication side effects, head injuries and degenerative neurological conditions are all correlated with increased aggression. Metabolic conditions like diabetes are also correlated with severe mood swings and aggression due to fluctuations in blood sugar. It is also important to consider lifestyle. For example, improvements in diet can have a considerable impact on how we function and feel. Exercise can provide an outlet for pent-up energy. 

In Summary

Anger should not be thought of in a universal way that has a single cause or single solution. If we notice that anger, hostility, or aggression is impacting our relationships, functioning, or sense of well-being, the first step is to assess the problem. We should consider unregulated emotions as a warning sign that something is wrong. A good assessment process should start with bloodwork and a visit to our primary care physician to assess what underlying medical conditions may be contributing. Consulting with a mental health professional is another important step to determine if there is an underlying mental health issue that may be contributing to emotional dysregulation.

Very often, psychotherapy can help an individual learn how to self-regulate utilizing coping skills and strategies for managing anger, stress, or complicated relationships. In some cases, anger and rage result from psychiatric conditions that may respond very well to medication. Participating in honest self-reflection is another important step to recognize what might be contributing to these problems and what habits, like alcohol abuse, may also be significantly impacting mood and behavior. In summary, anger is best viewed as a comprehensive problem that requires comprehensive assessment.

Anger Management Boca Raton

Do you or a friend or loved one need help with an anger issue? Contact Eric Bricker LMHC for anger management therapy services at our office in Boca Raton, FL.