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Anger Management   

SNOMED Terms
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  • Intermittent explosive disorder

  • Personality change due to medical disorder

  • Posttraumatic stress disorder


Goals
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  • Decrease overall intensity and frequency of angry feelings, and increase ability to recognize and appropriately express angry feelings as they occur.

  • Develop an awareness of current angry behaviors, clarifying origins of and alternatives to aggressive anger.

  • Come to an awareness and acceptance of angry feelings while developing better control and more serenity.

  • Become capable of handling angry feelings in constructive ways that enhance daily functioning.

  • Demonstrate respect for others and their feelings.


Behavioral Definitions
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  • History of explosive, aggressive outbursts out of proportion with any precipitating stressors, leading to assaultive acts or destruction of property.

  • Overreactive hostility to insignificant irritants.

  • Swift and harsh judgmental statements made to or about others.

  • Body language suggesting anger, including tense muscles (e.g., clenched fist or jaw), glaring looks, or refusal to make eye contact.

  • Use of passive-aggressive patterns (e.g., social withdrawal, lack of complete or timely compliance in following directions or rules, complaining about authority figures behind their backs, uncooperative in meeting expected behavioral norms) due to anger.

  • Consistent pattern of challenging or disrespectful attitudes toward authority figures.

  • Use of abusive language meant to intimidate others.


Diagnoses
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  • Intermittent Explosive Disorder

  • Bipolar I Disorder

  • Bipolar II Disorder

  • Conduct Disorder

  • Personality Change Due to Axis III Disorder

  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

  • Physical Abuse of Adult (by Partner)

  • Physical Abuse of Adult (by non-Partner)

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Antisocial Personality Disorder

  • Paranoid Personality Disorder

  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder

  • Personality Disorder NOS


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How to manage anger?

Managing anger can be a challenging task, but there are several strategies that can help:

1. Identify the triggers: It's important to understand what triggers your anger. Once you know your triggers, you can take steps to avoid or manage them.

2. Take a break: If you feel yourself becoming angry, take a break from the situation. This can help you calm down and gather your thoughts.

3. Practice relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, and yoga are all relaxation techniques that can help you manage anger.

4. Use cognitive restructuring: This involves changing the way you think about a situation. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects, try to see the positive or neutral aspects.

5. Communicate assertively: Instead of lashing out in anger, communicate your feelings assertively. This can help you express your anger in a healthy way.

6. Seek support: If you're having trouble managing your anger, consider seeking support from a therapist or support group.

Remember, managing anger is a skill that takes practice. With persistence and effort, you can learn to manage your anger and improve your relationships and overall well-being.

How does Anger affect your life?

Here are some ways in which anger can affect your life:

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Physical Health: Research has shown that unresolved anger is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. 

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Mental Health: When anger is not appropriately managed, it can lead to feelings of resentment, bitterness, and hostility, impacting your overall well-being and quality of life.

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Relationships: Uncontrolled anger can strain relationships with family members, friends, romantic partners, and colleagues. 

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Work and Productivity: It can impair your ability to concentrate, make decisions, and collaborate effectively with others.

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Legal Issues: Aggressive or violent behavior resulting from anger can lead to assault charges, property damage, or other criminal offenses. 

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Self-Esteem and Self-Image: You may feel ashamed or guilty about your inability to control your emotions, leading to negative self-talk and self-blame. 

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Social Isolation: Fear of confrontation or verbal aggression may lead friends and family members to withdraw from the relationship, resulting in social isolation and loneliness for the individual struggling with anger issues.

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Healthier Coping Mechanisms: These may include relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness, assertive communication skills, problem-solving strategies, and seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals.

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It's important to recognize the signs of problematic anger and seek help if you're struggling to manage it on your own. Therapy, anger management programs, and stress-reduction techniques can all be beneficial in learning to control anger and improve overall well-being.

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