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Anger is a normal, healthy emotion and a reaction to certain stimuli, as are fear, sadness, or any other emotional response. Although anger did play a crucial role in survival in our early history, its role has diminished greatly in modern society. This does not mean that it is no longer relevant, in fact it is still useful in many situations, it is just that situations for positive anger are much fewer as compared to before and chronic anger has become a serious problem. An anger problem can be extremely difficult to deal with and overcome as in most cases it is hard to recognize and acknowledge. The reason it is so complicated and hard to deal with is because most of us only identify the problem once the damage has been done.

Chronic anger is problematic as it produces feelings of anger that are disproportionate to the stimuli or even in the absence of stimuli. This can lead to a variety of stress related problems and health conditions in the individual as well as pose the risk of self destructive behavior or violence and destructive behavior in relationships. Thanks to the efforts of those who have suffered from chronic anger in the past and have recovered, and through their experiences we can learn a lot more about the condition and identify the problem early on. An anger problem does not develop overnight and the warning signs would most likely be present beneath the surface, long before it becomes a problem. Here are some tips and strategies to help you identify the problem before it becomes a threat to your well being and to those around you.

Conditions and Symptoms

Ask your self these questions to examine if any of these conditions tend to exist in a consistent or chronic manner, and answer them honestly.

1. Is your anger response disproportionate to the stimuli or trigger? This does not include normal stress that all of us experience and the occasional snappiness, when in a foul mood. This would refer to angry outbursts over trivial incidents that would not cause such a reaction in most other people.
2. Does the recollection of certain past event and incidents, or people of significance cause you to experience feelings of intense anger? This may be a vague point, but it could include any past incident or people in your life. Sometimes an incident or event that most people would see as trivial or far in the past may evoke strong feelings of anger.
3. Do you often find yourself feeling angry without any specific cause for anger? This could include the experience of anger, with no apparent reason or even a hint of anger, lurking beneath the surface.
4. Are people always guarded and cautious when interacting with you? Observe your interactions with others objectively and carefully, without any bias. Do people tread around you with great caution, making every effort to avoid confrontation or upsetting you?
5. Are there people who have broken of contact with you or try to avoid you? It is possible that you may experience feelings of loneliness as people avoid you or break contact, and you may convince yourself that it is you who does not wish to be in contact with them, a fact that may hold true in just a few cases.
6. Has your anger caused harm to yourself in anyway? This does not simply pertain to direct physical injury but could include bad business deals, interactions with clients and customer service reps, or traffic violations, or damage to any property.
7. Have you ever been told by anyone that you could have an anger problem, and has this been pointed out by more than a single person and over many occasions? If so, this would be a good wake up call. An isolated incident may not count, but the opinions of a few or several people should be considered.

If you do find that you have an anger problem it would be prudent to get help from a counselor who will be able to inform you about several anger management techniques that can help you overcome your anger easily.

References:

1. Novaco, Raymond W., Treatment of Chronic Anger Through Cognitive and Relaxation Controls. Journal of Counsulting and Clinical Psychology, 44, 4, 681, Aug 76.
2. Anger Disorders: Definition, Diagnosis, and Treatment Howard Kassinove(Ed.). Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis, 1995

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