Anger

Like anxiety, anger is an emotion. Its purpose is to mobilise our defences against perceived threats to our survival, success, the image we have of ourselves or beliefs that are central to who we are. Perhaps when our self-image is already fragile, and when we overestimate the threat to it, our resulting anger may become uncontrolled or excessive. This can lead to inappropriate and dysfunctional behaviours such as becoming overly hostile to minor irritants or rushing to swift and harsh judgmental statements to or about others. It can also lead to passive aggression, such as social withdrawal and disrespecting attitudes. The aim of therapy is to bring understanding to the underlying causes of the person’s anger and to learn to recognise and assess the triggers and the physical sensations that escalate it. In combination, these will enable the person to better control and manage their emotions, behaviours and relationships.