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• An unpleasant emotional state                                                            

• Increased pulse, respirations and blood flow to the striated muscles of the body.

• The pupils of the eyes constrict

• Adrenal glands pump out hormones

Anger can be brought on by external or internal events. An example of an external event is becoming angry at a specific person (such as a co-worker). An internal source is worrying about your personal problems.

If you, or someone close to you is quick to anger or is easily frustrated, then they might require an anger management program. Listed below are several excellent places that offer confidential treatment:

The Children’s Health Care Network - Provides children’s services for emotional, behavioural and learning problems. ADHD treatment, assessment and counselling are available. Address: 7717 Wyandotte St. East, Windsor. Phone: (519) 948-8370.

Drouillard Place - Assists local residents of the Drouillard Road area. Also facilitates youth with their own drop-in centre. Address: 1102 Drouillard Rd. Windsor. Phone: (519) 253-1073.

John Howard Society of Windsor-Essex County - Offers various programs for youth and adults that is not limited to anger management. Private or group sessions are available. Address: 880 Ouellette Ave Suite 703, Windsor. Phone: (519) 252-3461.

Shalom Counselling Services - A professional counselling service which offers specialized counsellors for either youth or adult clients. Group or private sessions are available. Address: 33 Princess St. East Ste 212, Leamington. Phone: (519) 326-3778.

Teen Health Centre - Open to patients aged 12-24 years old in a non-judgmental atmosphere. Main office phone: (519) 253-8481. Main address: 1585 Ouellette Avenue, Windsor. Appointments can also be made for the county satellite offices, including the Amherstburg Community Services site through the Windsor number.

Windsor Family Forum - Has facilitated support groups which are available for both men and women. They offer on-going support with stress and anger management programs. Address: 2109 Ottawa St. Ste 150, Windsor. Phone: (519) 253-2607.

Youth and Family Resource Network of Essex County - Offers anger management services for children, youth and adults. Educational parent programs and temporary housing for homeless youth are also available. Address: 124 Fox St, Cottam. Phone: (519) 839-6009, or call their Kingsville office at (519) 733-8983.

                                                                                OTHER SERVICES MAY BE AVAILABLE TO HELP

If managed inappropriately, anger is likely to negatively affect our physical and mental health.  

Here are several examples:

• Headaches

• Skin, Circulatory and Respiratory disorders

• Loss of Friendships

• Disabilities of the nervous system

• Aggravation of existing symptoms

• Emotional disturbances

• Suicide

The instinctive, natural way to express anger is to respond aggressively.  

The three main approaches of dealing with anger are:

• Expressing your angry feelings in an assertive non-aggressive manner is the healthiest way to express anger. Being assertive doesn’t mean being pushy or demanding; it means being respectful of yourself and others. Talking about what sets you off and avoiding name calling can diffuse a heated situation quickly and effectively.

• Suppressing your anger is converting or redirecting the bad feelings. This happens when you hold in your anger. The aim is to inhibit or suppress your anger and convert it into more constructive behaviour. The danger with this type of response is that if it isn’t allowed outward expression, the anger can turn inward to yourself. Anger turned inward may cause hypertension, high blood pressure, or depression.

• Calming yourself means not just controlling your outward behaviour, but also controlling your internal responses. Such responses include taking steps to lower your heart rate, calming yourself down, and letting the feelings subside.

How are Children Affected?

Children can be affected by parents' and other caregivers' anger both directly and indirectly.

• The direct way occurs when parents and other caregivers may find themselves so angry that they may become physically or emotionally aggressive toward their child.

• Children can be indirectly affected by watching a parent or other caregiver unsuccessfully handle a stressful situation. For example, when watching two adults arguing, the child may think that is the only, or best way to solve problems. Since the indirect effects of anger can be easily overlooked, it is always helpful for parents and other caregivers to pay attention to their actions when around a child.

• Create a safe emotional climate. Healthy family systems have clear, firm and flexible boundaries.

• Model responsible anger management. Adults who are most effective in helping children manage anger, model responsible management by acknowledging, accepting and taking responsibility for their own angry feelings and by expressing anger in direct and non-aggressive ways.

• Encourage children to label feelings of anger.

• Encourage children to talk about anger-arousing interactions. Children better understand anger and other emotions when they are explained.

There are two types of anger:

1) Manifest anger is on a conscious level that can be temporary or long term. This would consist of hurtful, resentful or rebellious behaviour caused by a real or supposed insult or injury to oneself or others.

2) Latent anger is repressed to an unconscious level which can accumulate over time. This anger can emerge as distrust, irritation, or gossip. If anger is not vented properly it can result in physical or mental health problems, along with a deterioration in close relationships.

• Prejudice

• Speaking in a harsh abrupt manner

• Egotistical, self-centred behaviour

• Resentment

• Aggressiveness

The Psychiatrist William Glasser makes the point that anger is, to a large extent, self-induced. It is a voluntary action to a situation. A person creates anger by his or her evaluations and choices, thus, needs to take responsibility for the anger. We can reduce our anger outbursts by:

• Taking a time out                                                                                   

• Talking with a friend, relative, or counsellor

• Getting away from the place of tension

• Exercising

• Counting to 10

• Taking a deep breathe