Understanding anger is the first step in learning to properly control or manage this very powerful human emotion. Anger and fear are very closely related, and a person may instinctively feel angry when there is a real or imagined threat. Although it is easy to blame others for feelings of anger, it is important to realize that each person is responsible for individual reactions to anger. Feelings of helplessness often contribute to anger issues, and those who are mistreated by others are more prone to struggle with anger-management problems. For individualized help in understanding anger, a doctor, therapist, or clergy member may be of great assistance.
Anger is a very basic and primal human emotion that is necessary to the survival of the species. One key to understanding anger is to realize that the adrenaline rush caused by a real or imagined threat causes a fight-or-flight response, which often involves feelings of anger. This hormonal spike helps to motivate self-protection instincts, and the anger generally dissipates after the threat disappears.
A problem can arise when a person has trouble understanding anger responses and cannot let go of the emotion. For instance, when a real or perceived threat disappears, a person may continue to hold on to the feelings of anger that were provoked by the crisis. Many times, the person does not realize that the anger was a response to the situation and is no longer needed. Instead, the feelings may be channeled in an unhealthy way, leading the person to react aggressively toward people or situations who had nothing to do with sparking the anger.
One of the biggest steps in understanding anger is that this emotion is almost always a result of underlying feelings of fear or helplessness. When a person does not feel in control of immediate surroundings or situations, anger may develop. If channeled properly, these feelings of anger can act as motivation to correct an imperfect situation. Without proper tools for understanding anger and its root causes, a person is more likely to develop aggressive behavior and may be a physical threat to others.
Those who have chronic anger-management issues should consider visiting a doctor for advice. Counseling or psychological counseling may be recommended in order to determine the reasons for the anger issues. A therapist can often help the patient develop tools for understanding anger and learning to control impulses and negative responses to this very normal emotion.