Self-help Articles

By James Crisler

With the economy in bad shape and job security seemingly nonexistent it is of no surprise that anger-related, issues such as domestic violence have increased. However, why is anger the culprit? We all experience anger at one time or another, yet only a fragment of us who do experience anger go on to act on it.

It is important to note that there is a difference between anger as a feeling and anger as a behavior. The former hardly ever results in negative consequences while the latter does. Feeling anger is part of being human. Very few will ever know how an individual feels in an exact sense unless it is acted upon (Hence, actions speak louder than words).

When anger is in action, it is in practice. Angry actions may bring about a solution to the problem or relief to the situation, which in turn reinforce such behavior for future use. Yes, angry behaviors may help relieve some situations but they do come at a cost. Angry behavior may have a short-term benefit, but over time can destroy relationships and label individuals in a negative fashion. It can leave those that we love and care about with a feeling of anguish or worthlessness.

Anger is not just one single emotion. It can be any number of emotions such as stress, anxiety, sadness, and depression. Events that cause any of these emotions can trigger anger. For example, the ever-increasing rise in unemployment is leaving families with many negative emotions of which could be displayed through angry behavior which in turn may lead to domestic violence or violence in general. It is up to us on how we confront these emotions. We can either let them overtake us or we can choose otherwise.

It may be surprising to note that anger is not a choice. It is comprised of a plethora of thoughts and experiences unique to each individual. Still, there is a choice on how to act on those thoughts. There is the choice to reach out and give a firm handshake, there is the choice to flash a smile, and there is the choice to give a hug. So when you feel the need to scream at someone, just remember that you are damaging a relationship with that individual and building a bad reputation for yourself. Sit back and take a breath and realize that although you may be angry, you have the choice to act on that feeling in a positive manner.

About the Author:

James Crisler is a student at Wichita State. He conducts research on anger as a function of experiential avoidance.