Anger Management
Do You Need Anger Management in San Diego?
Everyone gets angry from time to time but what happens when your anger starts to get the best of you? The last thing you want to do is let anger hijack your life and interfere with your opportunities. So if you’re starting to notice that anger is taking control of your life, it may be time to consider therapy in San Diego.
Understanding Anger
To start, anger is a very normal emotion, but we all experience it differently. For some, anger might come across as an intense irritation, but for others, it might be an extreme rage. Anger is supposed to be a healthy response to threats so that we can defend ourselves when we’re being attacked. This is why our body goes through biological and physiological changes when we’re upset. For instance, our adrenaline increases, our heart rate, and blood pressure soar, and we experience a burst of energy. This is all done so that we can survive in troubling situations.
However, this natural emotion becomes more of an issue when someone's anger is uncontrollable in situations that are minor in comparison. While most people can suppress their anger and redirect it, some people lash out in unsafe and unhealthy ways. When this occurs, they’re experiencing anger management issues.
How Do You Know If You Have An Anger Problem?
Typically, if you have to question rather or not you have an anger management problem, then chances are you might. Some signs that your anger is getting out of control is if:
Your relationships with others have been impacted by your anger
You constantly think negatively
You’re unable to control yourself when you are angry
You become violent or threaten violence
You’re beginning to stay away from situations because you fear you’ll have an angry outburst
If you notice any of the symptoms above, it’s important that you look into therapy in San Diego. A licensed therapist will be able to recommend various interventions so you can learn to better control your anger. However, if you choose to do nothing, you risk escalating your anger to a point where you hurt yourself and/or someone else.
Strategies for Managing Your Anger
Outside of seeking therapy in San Diego, you can also practice managing your anger at home. Yoga and meditation are extremely beneficial. Deep-breathing exercises can help you relax your mind and calm you down, especially during stressful situations. Another technique for managing your anger is cognitive restructuring, or changing the way you think. Instead of cursing and yelling next time you’re angry, allow yourself to replace your emotional thoughts with rational ones. By just changing the way you think, you avoid embarrassing yourself and potentially humiliating others. Try to use logic when you’re angry even when your anger is justified.
One other thing you can do to better manage your anger is to evaluate your communication style. If someone says something to you, do you immediately jump to conclusions and assume they’re out to get you? Before acting on such an assumption, take a step back and think through how you should respond. In those few moments, you could realize that that person wasn’t being rude at all, or if they were being disrespectful, you can respond in a way that still allows you to keep your cool.
Get Therapy in San Diego for Anger Management Techniques
Overall, the best thing you can do if your anger has been getting out of control is to find a licensed therapist. The strategies mentioned above are just one part of the equation, but by actually working with a therapist who’s trained in addressing these issues, you can truly make a change. Contact us at Perlman Wellness today to see how we can help you with anger management.