Anger Management
Counseling & Psychological Services
University of Cincinnati
I feel… Furious
Spiteful Grouchy
Frustrated Enraged
Annoyed Irritated
MadIrate
ANGRY
What is Anger?
Anger is "an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage."
- Charles Spielberger, PhD
How do you experience anger?
How do you feel it physically and emotionally?
What changes do you notice in yourself when you become angry?
______________________________________________________
Complete the checklist on the next slide.
Anger Symptoms Checklist * Check off those that apply to you
Physical Symptoms Emotional Symptoms Symptoms adapted from the following website: http:/ / www.lifewatcheap.com/ poc/ view_doc.php?type=doc&id=5812&cn=116
Increased heart rate
Muscle tension
Sweating/ feeling hot
Shallower/ faster breathing
Clenched jaw
Grinding of teeth
Headache
Stomachache
Shaking or trembling
Dizziness
Want to pace
Feel as though you need a drink or a cigarette
Feel like crying
Want to yell
Short with others
Anxious
Sad
Guilty
Resentful
Lose sense of humor
Withdraw from others or shut down
Are there other ways you experience anger internally?
______________________________________________________________________________
Think about these reactions.
Are they good for you—your health? your relationships? Your success at school and in life?
Why do we get angry?
“We are predisposed to become angry when we appraise an event or a person as a threat to one of our basic needs such as food or shelter, or more mature needs such as identity, recognition, achievement, and social affiliation.”
– Dr. Weisinger’s Anger Work-out Book, p. 31
Appraisal
Part of what makes us angry is how we appraise or interpret situations.
Sometimes we misinterpret situations as threatening when in actuality they are not.
When do you get angry?
When was the last time you were angry?
Day/week: _____________________
Time: _________________________
Place: _________________________
What was happening in the hours before you became angry?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What was your mood before you became angry?
__________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
What occurred right before you became angry?
_________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________
Psychologists often call that “right before” event a “trigger.”
The scene has been set by previous events and your mood, and then something triggers your response of anger.
For example, maybe you have had a bad morning…got up late and felt groggy, spilled coffee and had to change your shirt, tired from the day before, a little worried about a paper you need to write…and then, the trigger: someone cuts you off in traffic.
Understanding Triggers
Recognizing there has been a series of precursors to the anger can reduce the impact of the trigger.
And, knowing your specific triggers can help you respond differently when they occur the next time.
What are your triggers?
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
Thoughts Matter
Triggers are accompanied by thoughts, including thoughts that you have so quickly that they are almost automatic and you may not even notice them.
Back to your example…
What thoughts did you have about the event just before becoming angry?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Brainstorming
The thoughts that lead to anger often involve feeling treated unfairly.
While calm, brainstorm other ways to think about the situation to help prepare yourself for the next time it occurs
Replace Maladaptive Thoughts
Instead of Joe did that on purpose to make me look bad, you might think, Joe is trying his best, but he still has room to grow.
Instead of Chris is always late and makes me wait, you might think, Chris has trouble being on time; from now on, I’ll just meet her at class.
Now You Try
Usual thought that leads to anger _______________________________
New way of thinking about it _______________________________ _______________________________
How Do You Act When Angry?
How do you typically act when angry?______________________________________________________________________________
? Do you…
Show it on your face? Grit your teeth? Grin? Turn red? Criticize the “cause” of
your anger? Physically attack the
“cause” of your anger? Curse or Swear? Walk out? Withdraw from others?
Yell or Shout? Complain? Clench your fists? Make aggressive
gestures? Threaten others? Punch or Throw
objects? Stomp your feet? Slam doors? Brood?
Aggression
These are aggressive behaviors. Aggression and anger are not the same thing. People act aggressively for a purpose, such as showing others their anger, intimidating others, getting a feeling of relief….
Avoiding
Sometimes people avoid others when they are angry so they won’t show the anger or take it out on others. This can be helpful at times, but it can also lead to isolation and passivity--not dealing with problems, so never solving them.
What are the Effects of Your Actions?
What usually occurs after you react to your own anger?
_________________________________________________________________________________
What are the short term effects?_________________________________________________________________________________
For example:Do you experience relief? Do you become angrier? Depressed?Does your anger influence other situations you encounter or your interactions with
others?
? What are the long term effects?
For example:Do you become angry again in a similar
situation?Do you continue to experience the same
problem as before?Are there significant long term effects, such as
lost friendships or jobs, a drinking problem, or a court appearance?
Negative Aspects of Anger
Anger may lead to muddled thinking or impulsive action
Anger can cause confusion as to where the true problem lies
Anger can lead to aggression or avoidance
** Based on: The Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities 2 Secondary Assembly Script 7, Topic 4A, Managing Anger
Can Anger be a Positive? Although anger is often viewed as a
negative feeling, it can be used in a positive way…Anger provides cues that there is a problemAnger provides energy and can help motivate
actionAnger encourages the expression of feelings
** Based on - The Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities 2 Secondary Assembly Script 7, Topic 4A, Managing Anger
Positive Relief
Anger feels uncomfortable. There are ways to relieve it that are not destructive. Taking some time before reacting can be constructive—not aggression, not avoidance, just a break before deciding how to handle things that have led to the anger.
Time Out Ways to ease feelings of anger
Take a walk or engage in some other physical activity Perform a relaxation exercise (e.g. meditation,
progressive relaxation, etc.) Read a book Listen to music Watch television Talk to or call a friend Write in your journal Complete chores
What ideas do you have?
Practicing Relaxation Progressive relaxation
** Adapted from: The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmond J. Bourne, PhD
Take 3 deep abdominal breaths and imagine the tension leaving your body as you exhale
Clench your fists and hold for up to 10 seconds (use this amount of time for each muscle group). Release.
Tighten your biceps. Release. Tighten your triceps. Release.
Continue to follow the directions above for each muscle group making sure you include muscles in your face, shoulders, and core, and continue to breathe deeply.
Practicing Relaxation
You can also envision yourself in a setting you find peaceful
Make sure you envision the scene in great detail
You do not have to limit yourself to reality
** Adapted from: The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmond J. Bourne, PhD
Use the Anger
Let anger be your friend. Listen to it. What is the problem you are encountering? Is it related to the preceding situations or moods? Why is the trigger powerful over you?
What steps can you take to figure out the problem?
Addressing the Problem
Once you have figured out the problem, you can figure out how to address it. Do you need to rearrange your schedule? Learn time management skills? Talk with someone about your interactions? End a bad relationship? Find a major you like better?
You’re Not Alone
Sometimes things are easy to figure out and change. Many time, though, it’s hard.
Consider using CAPS to help you learn to understand better what your anger is telling you, and how to make good changes in your life.
Questions? If you have any questions you can contact
CAPS
Phone: 556-0648Location: 225 Calhoun St Suite 200Hours: Monday thru Friday 8AM – 5 PMWebsite: http://www.uc.edu/counseling.html
CAPS We offer…
Confidential individual and group counseling to UC students
Urgent Care walk-in services during business hours Consultation to faculty, staff, family, and friends
concerned about a student Workshops and presentations on stress management,
communication, relationships, balancing demands, and a variety of other topics
Assistance using community resources
References American Psychological Association:
Psychology Topics www.apa.org/topics/controlanger.html
Dr. Weisinger’s Anger Workout Book: Step-by-Step Methods for Greater Productivity, Better Relationships, and Healthier Life
-By Hendrie Weisinger, PhD
References Lifewatch Employee Assistance Program
www.lifewatch-eap.com
The Society for Safe & Caring Schools & Communities
www.sacsc.ca
The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook-By Edmund J. Bourne, PhD