If you’re struggling to manage anger, and you’ve heard about anger management courses, then perhaps you are here to explore whether ours at Anger Management Brisbane could be useful. If so – then welcome! Anger management counselling and courses have certainly gained popularity in recent years as more people recognise the importance of managing their emotions – and not just being ruled by them.
Read on and we’ll explore the benefits and criticisms of anger management courses, their history and origins, how to to choose one that suits you and also provide you with valuable tips to make the most of these programs.
Understanding Anger as a Natural Emotion
Anger is a fundamental human emotion, serving as a natural response to a perceived threat or injustice. It can arise from various situations, such as feeling insulted, experiencing frustration, or witnessing unfair treatment. Anger is not in itself negative; in fact, it can be a powerful motivator for change. It can prompt a person to address issues and advocate for themself or for others. However, when left unmanaged, out of control anger can lead to destructive behaviours and cause relationship issues.
In general, courses on anger management are designed to help people understand their feelings of anger and express it in a healthy way. Coaching and courses provide a logical structure where you can learn techniques to identify anger triggers, regulate angry emotions and ideally communicate assertively. A person deciding to seek help for problem anger (a very wise choice, we think!) is guided through (generally) cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) strategies that encourage self-awareness and emotional regulation.
Example:
By learning to recognise early physical warning signs of anger, like an increased heart rate or clenched fists we can learn to realise we feel angry, then pause, take deep breaths and think about what is really causing angry feelings; by catching anger early, we are more likely to be able to calm down before losing control and making it worse – sometimes it’s about realising we are quick to anger in certain situations.
Moreover, these courses often emphasize the importance of healthy communication skills, showing and guiding people to learn how to articulate their feelings without resorting to aggression. By understanding that anger is a natural and manageable emotion, people can transform their experiences, leading to improved emotional well-being and healthier interpersonal relationships.
Personal Growth Through Experienced Guidance
Learning to manage anger often has the added benefit of improving emotional intelligence (EI), which positively impacts other areas of life. As you become more aware of your emotions and how to control them, you also begin to understand the emotions of others. This heightened emotional intelligence can lead to stronger communication skills, healthier relationships, and better conflict resolution. The ability to regulate emotions helps in stressful situations at work, in social settings, or within personal relationships, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life overall.
Addressing Criticisms of Courses to Manage Anger
While learning anger management strategies has many benefits and courses have been shown to be effective for many people, it’s important to acknowledge the criticisms courses have faced:
- Some argue that some courses are a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn’t address the unique needs of each individual person seeking help.
- Others believe that the techniques taught in some courses are simplistic and don’t delve deep enough into the underlying causes of anger. They suggest that courses may not address deeper psychological issues that could be contributing to a person’s anger, such as trauma or mental health disorders.
- Furthermore, there is debate over whether court-mandated anger management courses are truly effective, as the individuals attending these courses may not be motivated to change their behaviour – they just want the piece of paper to get themselves out of trouble.
We’re the first to acknowledge the complexity of anger management and we hear of many difficult situations people face because they have trouble controlling their anger. However, it’s better to try something than nothing and something that we offer in both our coaching and online course is a different perspective from which to view the situation you find yourself in when feeling angry. We help our clients to understand the emotions at play and what influences those emotions.
Positive and Productive Steps
Really, once we start untangling the complex thread of human feelings and often overlooked life situations – including common conflict situations – you’ll be glad you’ve jumped in to working on anger issues and possibly wish you’d done it ages ago!
So, possibly keep in the back of your mind the possible shortcomings of any type of anger management counselling or courses, but do also keep an open mind to be able to develop strategies that can help not only when you feel angry – but throughout various areas of life in general.
The Evolution of Training Courses for Anger Management Issues
Anger management courses, as we know them today, are a relatively recent development. They emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, primarily in the United States. This coincided with the concept of emotional intelligence began to take traction.
Researchers and mental health professionals started to recognise the importance of understanding and managing emotions in various aspects of life, including personal relationships and in the workplace.
The courses were initially designed to help individuals who had difficulty controlling their anger, often leading to violent or aggressive behavior – so, problematic anger.
The goal was to provide these individuals with strategies and techniques to manage their anger in a healthier and more productive way.
Who Can Benefit?
Be sure to note, though – the practical tools learned in courses on managing anger aren’t merely for those who have been court-ordered to attend due to violent behaviour or legal issues. Many people voluntarily enroll in these programs because they want to learn how to effectively manage their emotions and improve their interpersonal relationships. Anger management techniques are valuable for everyone, because it all stems from having emotional intelligence.
Making the Most of any Anger Management Tips
To make the most of any information, guidance and advice given, it’s essential to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Be prepared to engage in self-reflection and to challenge your existing beliefs and comfortable old patterns of behaviour.
An Ongoing Journey
It’s also important to remember that anger management is an ongoing process. While a course – or even a program of coaching or therapy – can provide you with valuable tools and insights, it’s up to you to continue applying these skills in your daily life. Consider keeping a journal to track your progress, identify triggers and reflect on your experiences. Anger management is essentially a subset or element of personal development – which is like bathing – we need to do it daily!
The Impact of Uncontrolled Anger
“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. This quote beautifully illustrates the destructive nature of uncontrolled anger. When you allow anger to fester within you, it can eat away at your mental and physical well-being, damaging relationships and hindering personal growth. We don’t really need to tell you that. But behaviour change and habit change is possible. It takes self-awareness and commitment and some of the truths we need to face sometimes might, unfortunately, hurt! But life can be so much better and relationships significantly improved by learning to manage your anger.
Evidence of Effectiveness in Anger Management
Research has shown that anger management courses can be highly effective in reducing aggressive behavior and improving overall well-being. A study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that people who participated in anger management training showed significant reductions in anger, aggression, and hostility compared to those who did not receive the training.
Facts on Anger
Here are some interesting facts and statistics about anger and anger management:
Anger and Cardiovascular Disease
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that individuals who frequently experience intense anger are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease.
The researchers uncovered that the risk of a heart attack was 8.5 times higher in the two hours following an intense anger episode.
This suggests that managing anger could be a vital strategy in preventing heart disease. (Mostofsky et al, 2014)
Anger and Mental Health
A study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that anger can be a significant factor in mental health disorders.
The researchers found that individuals who have difficulty controlling their anger are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders.
This highlights the importance of anger management in overall mental health care. (Fernandez et al, 2016)
The Health Consequences of Uncontrolled Anger
When anger remains unmanaged, the body undergoes prolonged exposure to stress hormones and physical changes that can lead to a variety of health issues. The persistent state of heightened arousal and tension impacts several body systems. This can potentially lead to both immediate discomfort and long-term conditions.
Some health issues that have been associated with chronic anger include:
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- Frequent headaches: The physical tension caused by anger can result in chronic headaches.
- Digestive complications: Anger can disrupt normal digestive processes, leading to abdominal pain, indigestion, or other gastrointestinal problems.
- Sleep disturbances: Anger and stress often contribute to insomnia and difficulty maintaining restful sleep.
- Heightened anxiety: Unmanaged anger tends to exacerbate feelings of anxiety, further complicating emotional regulation.
- Depression: The emotional toll of unchecked anger can increase the risk of depression, contributing to a negative emotional spiral.
- High blood pressure: The stress and adrenaline associated with anger raise blood pressure, putting a strain on the cardiovascular system.
- Skin conditions: Conditions like eczema can worsen with prolonged stress and anger.
- Cardiovascular problems: Severe, ongoing anger is linked to heart attacks and strokes due to the increased stress on the heart and blood vessels.
By recognizing the physical toll that anger takes, it becomes clear why managing it is critical for maintaining overall health.
Considerations When Choosing a Course to Help Manage Anger
If you’re considering enrolling in any anger management counselling or course, here are some specific action steps you can take:
- Research different anger management programs in your area or online.
- Contact the program providers to inquire about the course structure, duration, and cost.
- Set realistic goals for yourself before starting the course.
- Attend each session with an open mind and a willingness to engage actively.
- Practice the techniques learned in the course regularly, even outside of the sessions.
- Keep a journal to track your progress and reflect on your experiences.
- Consider seeking additional support, such as individual coaching, to complement the anger management course. Make a plan to get help to address any underlying issues.
Anger Management Brisbane – One on One Coaching and Online Classes
Here at Anger Management Brisbane we offer One on One Coaching to help clients understand their angry feelings and develop strategies to better manage their anger response to the situations they find themselves in. We also offer and Online Anger Management Course – consisting of a series of modules containing Online Anger Management Classes. This means the participant can work through the classes at their own pace and in the privacy of their own home. CLICK HERE to view a free anger management class we have put together to give you a no-obligation sneak preview of how the course works.
References:
- Mostofsky, E., Penner, E. A., & Mittleman, M. A. (2014). Outbursts of anger as a trigger of acute cardiovascular events: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 63(11), 1129-1137.
- Fernandez, E., & Johnson, S. L. (2016). Anger in psychological disorders: Prevalence, presentation, etiology and prognostic implications. Clinical Psychology Review, 46, 124-135.
