Anger

Updated: 2023-04-11

Description

A basic human emotion that can range from mild irritation to rage.

Overview

Anger is a common and natural emotion. It's often a response to something seen as a threat. Anger triggers can be anything from feeling that an effort isn't appreciated to global injustice. Individuals have unique anger triggers based on their personal history and what they were taught to expect from themselves, others and the world.

Symptoms

Anger causes the body to release adrenaline, tighten muscles, and raise the heart rate and blood pressure. In anger, thoughts about the triggering event may become exaggerated, blown out of proportion or irrational. People differ in how they express anger.

Treatment

Anger becomes a problem when people don't deal with it in a healthy way. To ease anger, clearly and directly — but respectfully — voice concerns and needs. Channeling anger into constructive behavior can help too. Use relaxation and other calming techniques to manage feelings of anger. If anger becomes hard to control or hurts relationships, seek therapy.