Does it feel like anger is consuming your life? Do you lose control at the drop of a hat? Maybe you’re sitting in traffic that’s backed up for three miles, cursing drivers to your left and right. Maybe you’re in another heated argument with your spouse, one that stemmed from mere miscommunication about dinner plans. Or, maybe, you’re simply washing your hands and the water’s a little too hot—which leads to a frustrated pound of your fist on the counter.
Did any of the above resonate with you? While it’s normal to grow angry, even at the most mundane things, we must learn to express and manage that anger in a positive and beneficial way. Fortunately, anger management counseling helps you do just that. If you’re tired of getting angry and feeling out of control, reach out to Thriveworks Counseling in Durham for anger management counseling. Our skilled therapists and counselors are more than happy to help you reach a happier and healthier place by assisting you in your anger management journey.
What Is Anger Management?
Anger management is the process of learning how to cope with anger and handle negative feelings in an appropriate, productive manner. Oftentimes, there are specific stressors that trigger outbursts of anger, which you will work to identify during counseling. These triggers can be categorized into two main types: internal and external triggers. A few examples of internal triggers include self-perceived failures, frustrations, or pent-up tension. On the other hand, common examples of external triggers include…
- Traffic
- Slow customer service
- Crowded public places
- Bad working conditions
- Disorganization
- Loud or rude people
These triggers result in anger, which can present itself as aggression and disruptive tantrums. While it’s impossible to completely rid yourself of these triggers, the therapists at Durham can help you to get your emotions under control and react in a more beneficial way through anger management counseling.
How Does Anger Management Work?
Anger is not all in your head. When you experience anger, your body reacts in physical ways. Your heart races, you may sweat, and your blood pressure rises. It is easy to make these changes worse by acting in ways that cause further spikes in blood pressure and pulse. The key is to deescalate the situation and to find ways to remain calm and peaceful.
That being said, there is no cookie cutter answer to anger problems. The reality is that everyone experiences anger. After all, at its core it’s nothing more than an emotion. However, some people are simply better at reacting to that anger than others. Anger management teaches you techniques for dealing with your anger in a healthier manner. Here’s a list of some helpful practices:
- Take a few deep breaths. Slow, deep breathing works to reduce tension. For optimal results, breathe from your stomach and get as much air as you can into your lungs before letting it back out.
- Focus on any physical sensations. Are you experiencing physical sensations as a result of your anger such as sweaty palms and a racing heartbeat? Tune into these feelings, as doing so can help to lessen the intensity of your negative emotions.
- Utilize your senses. Your senses have the ability to relax the mind. All you have to do is put them to work: try listening to some of your favorite music or envisioning yourself somewhere you love.
- Count to ten. No, this technique isn’t just used to calm down a crying child. Counting to ten slowly gives you something besides your anger to focus on and, in turn, calms those angry feelings.
These are some common practices for dealing with anger, but a Thriveworks counselor can help you identify techniques that prove specifically effective for you. When you work one on one with a counselor at Thriveworks, you’ll get personalized suggestions that will help you find the very best way for you to take control of your emotions again.
Why Is Anger Management Important?
When your body sits in a state of anger or rage, it’s at a heightened risk of struggling with many health ailments. A few of these risks include:
- Increase in blood pressure
- Weakened immune system
- Emotional instability
- Blood clots
- Heart attack
- Stroke
Acting erratically, lashing out at loved ones, and suffering from the above health issues isn’t fun—nobody wants their life to be tainted this way. In fact, nobody needs their life to be tainted this way. If your anger is getting out of control and implicating your health and wellbeing, a therapist and counselor at Thriveworks Counseling in Durham can help.
Scheduling Anger Management Counseling at Thriveworks Counseling in Durham
It’s often hard to admit you have a problem. But it’s even harder to live with the implications of unhealthy behaviors like uncontrollable anger. So, take that first step toward healing by admitting you could use some help and seek out treatment at Thriveworks Counseling in Durham. Our counselors and therapists are dedicated to assisting you in living a healthier life, and they can’t wait to start this journey with you. To schedule an appointment, simply give us a call at (919) 629-3854. We look forward to hearing from you!
Narcissism, LGBTQIA+, Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, +6 more 
