Anger is blinding. Imagine you are driving on a clear day. You can see the environment around you, upcoming exits, hills, forestry, other people in their vehicles and off in the distance you can see what is over the next horizon or 2. It may be your destination. A city, town or a beach resort along the coast. This description represents emotional stability and the ability to function in the world with direction and a range of possibilities. Now imagine the same scenario. Only this time, it is night, there is dense fog and you are unable to see but only a few feet ahead. To make matter worse, the ground is also covered with a thin layer of ice. This description represents the risk associated with anger. As the emotional aspect of anger takes hold one cannot see ahead and they and others safety is most assuredly at risk.      

Go Slow and Keep the Volume Low: Very often during conflict people have a tendency to increase the rate at which they speak along with an increase in their volume. One of the easiest ways to prevent a loss of control of anger is by monitoring your speed and volume. First identify the limit of an acceptable speaking volume and rate of speaking that you know is safe. While in a conflict if you exceed the limit you have set, halt your engagement in the conflict then separate yourself from the interaction until you are better able to continue the interaction by keeping the speed slow and your volume low.

Confusion and Contradiction: All too often clients indicate that they experience a significant amount of confusion due to observed contradictions. If anger and out of control behavior is bad, then why is it that in a variety of settings it is celebrated and viewed as a means to effectively resolve problems? This problem is addressed by helping clients to refocus their energy toward the things in life they value and how to maintain their own standards (stability, poise and, implementation of boundaries) regardless of confusing and contradictory external messages.

"Know Thyself," (Socrates). Timeless words that are an essential part of the process of anger management and skills training. I have found that self-awareness is critical to a person's ability to reduce outbursts of anger.

​​Here in the Anger Blog you will find guidance, tips and highlighted strategies to address problems with anger to be featured. If you would like additional training or to address problems with anger directly, please click on the Anger Management Intensive Intervention Training Link. ​