Anger Management
ANGER MANAGEMENT COUNSELING
Lacamas Counseling Serves Vancouver, Camas, Washougal Washington and the surrounding areas
Anger refers to an emotional response that can vary widely in how long it lasts, how often it occurs, and how much impacts day-to-day functioning. Anger may be your first emotion in most situations or you may be very slow to lose your temper. People may experience anger when they feel attacked or they may use anger to get what they want. It is common for anger to be connected to depression, anxiety, and trauma. Anger can become so habitual and pervasive that it impacts your thoughts, behaviors, and other emotions.
Uncontrolled anger may be a symptom of a mental health disorder and becomes significant when it impacts your ability to function at home, school, or work, or in your relationships.
Symptom Self-Check
Do you feel constantly on edge or irritable?
Are you easily angered and frustrated?
Do you react with a vindictive and spiteful attitude?
Do you hold a grudge for years or refuse to accept an apology?
Do you lose control of your body or words when you are angry?
When you are angry, do you do or say things that you later regret?
Have you lost friendships or employment because of your anger?
Do you bottle your emotions until you burst with anger?
Have you threatened to harm yourself or others in your anger?
Treatments for Anger:
Anger can be treated and it’s important to work with a professional to help identify an effective treatment plan for anger. Treatment for anger can include:
- Counseling
- Medications (i.e. antidepressants, mood stabilizers)
- Group counseling
- Education and empowerment
- Stress management and reduction
- Awareness and assessment of emotions, triggers, and stressors
- Problem solving
- Skill building
- Relaxation training
- Exposure therapy
- Assertive communication training
- Self-care (sleep hygiene, exercise, nutrition)
- Relationship repair
If you are experiencing any symptoms of anger that are impacting your well-being and functioning, please connect with Lacamas Counseling for professional therapeutic support to address and alleviate your symptoms of anger.
Additional Resources for Anger:
Anger by Mental Health Foundation
Anger Management by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Mental health diagnoses of anger include:
INTERMITTENT EXPLOSIVE DISORDER
A reoccurring pattern of behavioral outbursts and aggressive impulses.
OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER
A pattern of angry/irritable mood with argumentative behavior and a vindictive spirit.
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
Major Depressive Disorder with negative affect or irritability.
BIPOLAR DISORDER
Bipolar I or II Disorder with an abnormally irritable mood.
PANIC DISORDER
Panic disorders that are a physical body reaction to fear or anxiety, with negative affect or irritability.
POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
Experience of a post-trauma stress response that includes over-aroused irritability and anger.
ADJUSTMENT DISORDER WITH DISTURBANCE OF CONDUCT
Acting out with anger or aggression to deal with a significant and stressful life change.