What is Anger?

Why do humans get angry? How much control do we really have? Anger is a normal emotion with a wide range of intensity, from mild irritation and frustration to rage. It is a warning bell that tells us that something is wrong. It perceived threat to us, love ones, property, self image or some part of our identity. It is one way of expressing our emotions towards others. Everyone experiences anger, and in one way or another, it can be healthy because it can motivate us to stand up for ourselves and correct injustices when we mange anger well. On the other hand, mismanaged anger can be unhealthy and counterproductive especially when anger is too intense, out of control, misdirected, and overly aggressive. It can lead to poor decision making and problem solving, create problems with relationships at work and can affect your health.

It has three components:

• Physical reactions, usually starting with a rush of adrenaline and responses such as an increased heart rate, blood pressure, and tightening muscles; often known as the “fight or flight” response
• The cognitive experience of anger, or how we perceive and think about what is making us angry. For example, we might think something that happened to us is wrong, unfair, and undeserved.
• Behavior, or the way we express our anger. There is a wide range of behavior that signals anger. We may look and sound angry, turn red, raise our voices, clam up, slam doors, storm away, or otherwise signal to others that we are angry. We may also state that we are angry and why, ask for a time-out, request an apology, or ask for something to change.