Anger
When to make a doctor’s appointment
See a doctor if:
- Affects relationships at work, school, or home
- Difficult to control
- Feeling down, interrupted sleep, or loss of appetite
Self-care
Slow down, take deep breaths, and take a break before responding to situations that provoke anger. Practice relaxation skills and develop new strategies to diffuse anger.
When to make a doctor's appointment
See a doctor if:
- Affects relationships at work, school, or home
- Difficult to control
- Feeling down, interrupted sleep, or loss of appetite
Overview
Common triggers for anger include losing your patience, feeling your opinion or efforts aren't appreciated, and injustice. Other causes are memories of traumatic or enraging events and worries about personal problems. You also have unique triggers based on your history and what you were taught to expect from yourself, others and the world.
Symptoms
Anger causes your body to release adrenaline, your muscles to tighten, and your heart rate and blood pressure to increase. Your senses might feel more acute and your face and hands flushed. Anger becomes a problem only when you don't manage it in a healthy way.
Treatment
To deal with anger, clearly and directly express your concerns and needs. Other options include holding in your anger and converting it into constructive behavior or controlling your outward behavior and internal responses by calming yourself and letting your feelings subside.
