Anger Management Counselling in Ireland

by Dr Becky Spelman

What is Anger?

Anger is seen as a natural response to a situation or event that is particularly threatening, and creates the feeling of being attacked, injured or violated. Known as the “fight or flight” response, anger can ensure our survival by giving us the strength to either stand up for ourselves, “fight” or run away for our lives, “flight”. In this way, anger is neither good nor bad.

We all get angry sometimes, but most of us are able to temper our reaction to our anger. However, some people lose all perspective when the emotion takes over and immediately react with shouting and even violence. Many different factors can contribute to this sort of over-reaction. Research indicates that children who suffer emotional neglect or abuse during very early childhood can be particularly vulnerable, while people living with foetal alcohol syndrome, and a range of other issues, often struggle with regulating their emotions. Our experiences in early childhood, and in the womb, can have an impact on brain development, making some people “wired” to be hyper-responsive to the triggers that make them angry.

These problems can be particularly acute in young men. Young men, in general, tend to be more emotionally volatile than other demographics, and they are also physically stronger. When these qualities combine with factors such as social deprivation, drug or alcohol abuse, and access to weapons or the acceptance of violence in the society they live in, the result can be disastrous. Young men are particularly vulnerable not just to being violent themselves, but also to being the victims of violence—and while most brawls result in bruises and hurt egos, they can sometimes result in serious injuries and even death.
The Biology of Anger

When someone is triggered into the anger state, it activates a section of the brain known as the amygdala. It is part of the sympathetic nervous system and the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions before you’ve become aware of the way you feel about an event. It works at incredible speed, processing information in milliseconds, serving as the fight or flight mechanism that allows us to act first and think later in times of extreme danger. It’s undoubtedly an essential function, the problem arises when this state becomes the norm.

It has been widely accepted by many peer-reviewed studies that when anger occurs, blood rushes into the frontal cortex, clouding judgment and thus impairing the ability to make rational decisions. This is exacerbated further by elevated levels of cortisol, which contributes to a loss of neurons in the pre-frontal cortex. The increased cortisol also kills neurons in the hippocampus, disrupting the creation of new ones, impairing short-term memory and reducing the amount of serotonin, which can lead to depression.

However, it isn’t just the brain that takes a big hit during states of frequent and prolonged anger, the risks to cardiovascular health have been equally well-documented. When our levels of anger increase, the body releases higher levels of fatty acids and blood sugar into the system to provide the energy to survive the threat it perceives to be in our midst. Over time, these fatty acids accumulate in the arteries causing blockages, which increase the risk of heart disease.

Anger and the associated stress has also been shown to lead to disease and other physical ailments, ranging from rashes to serious cases of cancer. It is entirely possible to think – in the case of psychosomatic symptoms – or in this case feel yourself into a state of ill health. This is why it’s so important not to write off episodes of anger as trivial occurrences, a personality quirk or something that we have no control over.
The Effects of Anger
The physical effects can include:
- Digestive problems that can lead to heartburn, ulcers, colitis, gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome
- Heart and circulatory problems including blocked arteries
- Increased blood pressure
- Inflammations of joints and muscles
- A weakened immune system
- Lowered pain threshold
Emotional and behavioural effects can include:
- Depressive symptoms if anger turned inwards
- Addiction to alcohol, tobacco or other drugs;
- Compulsive behaviour such as excessive eating, overworking, meticulous cleaning and even out of control sexual activities;
- Bullying other people to make yourself feel better;
- Ill-planned political activity such as terrorism or going on strike;
What is Anger Management?

Anger management is a burning issue, especially for men, and within that category, especially for younger men. The inability to manage anger can have catastrophic consequences, both for the person with the problem and for all those around them.

Many therapeutic approaches can help those prone to violence to gain a greater degree of control over their emotions, and research indicates that technology may also have a role to play.

As scientists acquire greater knowledge of how our brains work, they are starting to understand how normal subjects manage and suppress anger responses, and how neurological issues in some people can make this very difficult. By isolating the areas of the brain associated with violent impulses, it may be possible to identify treatments such as manipulating electrical activity in specific parts of the brain, with a view to suppressing or delaying an anger response. Delaying such a response, even by seconds, would give the person in question time to think about how to respond to the trigger that is making them feel angry.

While technological approaches to managing violence offer great hope, it is also important to look at other factors, including social inequality, childhood neglect, resilience (or the lack thereof) and access to weapons. There is no longer a debate about whether nature or nurture is responsible for problems of this sort; they both have a role to play. Anger can destroy lives; those who struggle to manage anger may end up in prison, with all the personal repercussions this involves for their lives and those of their families, while their loved ones and all those they encounter can risk serious physical and emotional injury. When it comes to anger, an approach predicated around prevention is always best.
How Can I Find Treatment For Anger Management?

If you would like to talk to someone about Anger Management treatment in Ireland or online, please get in touch with the Private Therapy Clinic on Whatsapp message at: 7511116565 email, chat bot or book online to arrange an appointment.