Much of the psychological well-being that we can enjoy lies in our way of managing the emotions we experience on a daily basis. Living in tow of our emotions can be very frustrating, and even more so when they are altered, especially in social situations.
We have an example of the latter in those who suffer from anger control problems In this article we will see some keys to better regulate this tendency towards hostile or aggressive attitudes.
The human brain is characterized, among other things, by having a great capacity for counteract the influence of immediate desires and impulses in general, thus allowing our actions to focus on medium and long-term goals, which would not be possible if we were constantly doing what the body asks of us. For example, most of us are able to not quickly spend all the money we earn so we can indulge in treats when the income comes in.
Other animals are also capable of applying similar strategies, in which the objectives to be achieved are not immediate and require a certain patience. However, we can aspire to goals that we will reach only years from now, through a way of planning actions that is very sophisticated and based on abstract thinking, not so much on sensations.
However, there are always exceptions to the rule; By pure statistics, there are people who barely suffer emotional ups and downs and never have problems controlling impulses, and others for whom the opposite happens. Among the latter, there is a subgroup that, specifically, It is difficult for you not to express a high degree of anger or direct anger in everyday and relatively frequent situations that they don’t deserve it. Let’s see what happens in these cases, keeping in mind that these are general characteristics and that they do not describe all individuals who suffer from this type of emotional alterations.
1. Tendency to frustration
People with problems controlling anger often feel an intense feeling of frustration. when the smallest details of everyday life don’t turn out the way they wanted them to: running out of bread at the bakery, seeing someone sit first in the last free seat on public transport, etc.
2. Intolerance of discrepancy
These people tend not to accept well that other people may disagree on issues that are important to them.
3. Instant hostility to confrontation
In situations in which other people are hostile, those who do not regulate their anger impulses well almost always react in the same way, showing a predisposition to verbal or physical attacks
4. Discharge of rage on nearby objects
Something also relatively common in these people is the tendency to vent their anger on objects, whether by hitting, squeezing or, in general, performing an action that is based on muscle strength This makes sense, because anger causes muscle tone to increase to a point where the muscles are very tense, and that can cause discomfort.
Most people who consider improving their anger control do not develop a psychological disorder per se. However, In some cases, this problem does reach such an extreme of intensity that it becomes clinically significant and it is a reason to go see a mental health expert as soon as possible.
This is what happens with those who receive the diagnosis of Intermittent Explosive Disorder; It is a psychological alteration that, as its name indicates, is based on explosions of very intense and to a certain extent uncontrollable anger. These cases are diagnosed by the professionals who handle the patient’s case, who propose the psychological intervention measures to be adopted.
To do?
Here are some helpful tips for weakening the power of those aggressive impulses.
1. Sleep well and eat well
This is basic: if our body is not in good condition, we are more likely to not have much patience, since by having to deal with a discomfort that haunts us, we are not in a position to also endure other unpleasant unforeseen events. Set a clear sleep schedule and make sure that most of your regular diet provides you with all the nutrients and vitamins necessary.
2. Keep addictions at bay
Another element that makes us more vulnerable to attacks of anger are addictions, for a reason that is easy to understand: if we only care about the fact of consuming or experiencing that sensation towards which we have developed a dependence, Everything that separates us from it or even distracts us from thoughts related to it, is for us an obstacle to our well-being
Therefore, it is crucial to prevent the development of addictions (people with altered emotionality are more likely to fall into them) and, if one has already developed, go as soon as possible to specialists who can offer treatment.
3. Practice conflict resolution protocols with the people closest to you
Internalize a more or less systematic method when resolving discrepancies It can help us, little by little, get used to assuming that an argument does not have to be an ego fight or a hostile confrontation in general.
Meet with people who are important to you and establish, in an agreed manner, some simple protocols to structure the steps you will follow when approaching positions. It is important that you both show the same degree of commitment to these measures, and that they are equally binding on both of you, not just those who have impulsivity problems.
4. If you think it is necessary, go to the psychologist
Finally, we must not forget that if the problems when controlling anger are very extreme, it will be necessary to go to therapy and commit to it without skipping sessions. In the psychologist’s office, patients will receive training in techniques and habits adapted to their needs.
Are you looking for psychological support?
If you think you suffer from this type of problems related to anger management and are looking for psychological help from a professional, I suggest you contact me. I am a psychologist specialized in the cognitive-behavioral intervention model, which has proven effectiveness in treating a wide variety of emotional disorders. You can see my contact information on this page.
