Anger Management Therapy: Tips and Tricks

G etting angry is something that happens to all of us at one point or the other in our lives but if anger gets out of control then it might be a good idea to sign up for some anger management therapy. A counselor or a therapist can in fact help you work out the issues behind such explosive anger and improve your quality of life and the relationships between you and others. The aims of anger management therapy are in fact to help you recognize what triggers your anger and how to cope with said triggers through tricks. A good therapist will also teach you relaxation techniques to use when you feel anger mounting as well as problem-solving techniques which will help you feel empowered and less prone to giving in to anger. Finally, as explosive anger is often the result of bottled-up emotions, your counselor should teach you also to be assertive to better express yourself and feel in control of the situations you are facing. Below are a few tips on how to recognize and stop an anger attack in its tracks. 1. Know what are the causes of your anger. While sometimes how we react to feelings of anger are a result of what we learned as children, other times anger is simply a way to cover other feelings such as insecurity, embarrassment, shame, hurt and vulnerability. Realizing that it is actually an emotion different from anger that you are experiencing might help you tone down the shouting and aggression. 2. Know what your triggers and warning signs are. Triggers and warning signs are different from person to person so it is difficult for a non-professional outsider to spot them. However, you should be aware of what makes you angry and of what signs your brain sends you to warn you of an impending attack. By knowing what your triggers are you can avoid them as much as possible while knowing your warning signs means you can prevent an explosive attack through relaxation techniques and meditation. 3. Keep an "anger journal". Every night describe the day’s anger attacks or every time you felt anger and try to dig deeper: was it really anger you were feeling? If it was something else, what was it? What caused it? Writing things down can help you focus on them and see your progress over time which is always a strong motivation tool. 4. Learn how to decompress. Meditation and relaxation techniques are something we should all learn as a way to decompress after a long day of work. This is however particular important for people who are prone to anger attacks as these can help you calm down and avoid shouting and aggressive behavior towards others. Ways to calm down can go from simply breathing to light exercise such as a brisk walk to stretch or massage the area where the tension usually accumulates. When looking for an anger management therapy group remember that anger can be as strong an addiction as alcohol or drugs. Therefore choose a certified professional to help you to avoid incurring in greater problems later on. [photo: www.flickr.com]