Authored by Michelle Fairbrother in Mental Health 
Published on 11-15-2009

Having a bit of anger is normal. Everyone has stresses in their life and goes through hard times. Feeling angry when you trip into a puddle on the way to work or have a friend who wrongs you is absolutely expected. But there are certain situations in which one’s anger becomes too much and they need help. It is important for people to control their anger before it controls them. When left to spiral out of control, an anger problem can become violent and seriously dangerous.

This is where anger management comes into play. Anger management is a form of therapy that is used to deal with anger and help people learn how to control it. Anger management classes are typically headed by a qualified counselor or psychotherapist who will discuss the various causes of anger and what methods are best for helping an anger problem.

Depending on how serious an anger problem a person has they could need treatment for anywhere from a few days to a few months. Some people respond better to anger management treatment than others. The specific determination for treatment will vary from one person to the next but there are a few anger management basics that remain the same in all situations.

One of the basic goals of anger management classes is to help people identify exactly what it is that is causing all their anger. It may be several different things that are going on in their life or just one major contributor. Before a person is able to effectively deal with their problem they must be able to determine what makes them angry and why. Sexual frustration, hunger, physical illness and disappointment are all common causes of anger problems.

The therapist will also work to show non-aggressive ways to deal with anger when it strikes. Someone with an anger problem is likely to respond to a situation with an aggressive and violent attitude whether they are intending to or not. Anger management classes help to prevent potentially dangerous situations by teaching skills on how to handle anger properly. Thinking before acting is one of the most important rules taught. Rather than jumping the gun and reacting as soon as something causes a feeling of anger, it is important to stop and take a moment to actually consider what the best way of dealing with the situation would be.

This allows a person the chance to clear their mind and take a step back before deciding how to react. It forces them to make more rational and logical decisions as opposed to doing something immediately that they would surely regret.

One of the most important anger management basics involves learning about emotions and how to express feelings better. More often than not, people with anger issues find that they keep their emotions all locked up inside. They are afraid of letting anyone know how they feel. This may actually keep them calm on a regular basis but everything is boiling up inside only to eventually overflow. People who are dealing with great sadness or depression, guilt, resentment or anxiety are especially likely to have a problem with anger and may need help.

Anger should not be suppressed. As taught in anger management classes, people need to learn not how to hold their anger in but instead how to deal with it in the most intelligent and healthy way. The aim is to convert anger into some form of positive constructive behavior. Breathing exercises are also a major part of anger management classes. They help to calm the heart rate and clear the mind.

These are just a few of the anger management basics. Anyone who thinks that they may have an anger problem should seek help immediately. Any person that feels their anger is out of control is not going to want to wait until it is too late. Even in cases where the anger is not at an extreme it can still be very helpful to get counseling and learn appropriate ways to deal with anger and stress.

There are anger management courses available all around the world. Speaking to a doctor or other health care professional will be the best first step to take. They will have information on different classes and programs offered to treat anger problems. They may also suggest short-term use of medication or other treatment if necessary.