5 Things About Anger You Might Not Know
It’s true that anger is something we all experience, whether as an automatic reaction to something unpleasant or a result of unresolved trauma. Despite its ubiquity, there are many layers of anger we may not be aware of.
In this article, we dive into five lesser-known facts about anger and its associated emotions, so you can better understand and learn how to manage it.
- Anger is a common automatic reaction to an unpleasant event or circumstance
One of the most important things to understand about anger is that it’s often an automatic reaction, meaning it’s not always rational or logical. In other words, we may not be able to control our initial reaction to feeling angry, but we can control how we react after that.
- Powerlessness might be hiding beneath a self-protective shield of anger
When we experience powerlessness, we might feel at the mercy of other people or forces beyond our control. This can be a very scary and frustrating feeling, but anger gives us a way to deflect attention away from our weaknesses.
Using anger as a shield, we might lash out or withdraw from others. Yet, underneath our outward display of anger, there is often a deep feeling of insecurity or inadequacy.
If you get angry frequently, it’s important to ask why. Are you mad at the person or thing you’re yelling at? Or are you trying to regain control or protect yourself from feeling vulnerable?
Remember that anger is often a secondary emotion – not the root cause of our problems but rather a symptom of something deeper going on within us.
- Awareness, grounding, and compassion can resolve anger
When we get angry, it is often an automatic and instinctive reaction. We may not even know what has triggered our anger, but we know we are upset, frustrated, or enraged.
If we take a moment to pause and observe our anger without judgment, we can see more clearly what is causing it. Once we have identified the source of our anger or seen a situation from another perspective, we can start addressing it more constructively.
Grounding ourselves can help us to feel more present and less overwhelmed by our anger. This may involve taking some deep breaths, focusing on a mantra or positive affirmation, or physically moving our bodies in a way that feels grounding, such as going for a walk.
Finally, compassion is key when dealing with anger. When we are compassionate, we can better understand and accept our own emotions, which can help us resolve them more healthily.
- Anger can be a result of unresolved trauma
For many people, anger is a response to feeling unsafe or threatened. For instance, growing up in a household where there was violence can lead to using anger to defend yourself.
Anger can also be a way to avoid taking responsibility for your feelings and choices. After all, it seems easier to blame someone else for your problems than to deal with them head-on. But ultimately, this leads to more frustration and anger over time.
If you find yourself struggling with unexplained anger, it may be worth exploring whether there are any unresolved traumas in your past.
- Anger is often a sign of depression and/or anxiety
When someone feels overwhelmed with negative emotions, they may lash out in anger to cope. While it may seem like this person is always angry, it could be a symptom of underlying mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
You Can Control Your Anger Before It Controls You
Sometimes, our anger can become uncontrollable, and it can impact our lives in negative ways. If you’re struggling with anger as a result of anxiety, depression, or trauma, have you heard about a treatment called ketamine-assisted psychotherapy?
KAP is a form of therapy that uses a low dose of ketamine to help people with mental health conditions and troubling symptoms access hidden memories and emotions.
For people struggling with anger, KAP can help them understand and resolve the underlying issues causing their anger. By working through these issues in a deep and meaningful way, KAP can help people heal from the trauma of their past and move forward in their lives.
If you’re interested in exploring this treatment option, contact us at New U Therapy or visit us online for a KAP self-assessment to see if it could be right for you.
