Anger – what is it and why should we talk about it?
Anger is considered one of five basic human emotions, alongside joy, fear, sadness, and disgust. Consequently, the Oxford Dictionary defines anger as a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. Moreover, it is a natural reaction when we feel wronged by someone or something significant. Similarly, anger is a complex emotional response triggered by perceived threats to our safety or values. Ultimately, when extreme, anger can harm relationships, damage careers, and lead to hurting those we deeply care about.
Why People feel Angry: Are Rage Rooms a Good Idea?
All this inevitably results in harmful effects on both our psychological health and overall emotional wellbeing over time. Consequently, research indicates that releasing extreme rage can damage the heart and immune system just as much as suppressing it. Moreover, engaging in activities like rage rooms or aggressive catharsis may actually increase harm rather than provide meaningful emotional relief. Similarly, this finding highlights that many people remain unaware of the potential dangers of expressing anger in such destructive ways. Ultimately, releasing rage through aggression does not truly resolve it and can prevent healthier strategies for long-term emotional regulation.
The Problem with Aggressive Catharsis
In fact, responding to anger with aggression often escalates conflict and fuels even more hostility within ourselves. Consequently, such reactions can provoke similar responses from others, creating a cycle of mutual anger and emotional harm. Moreover, this cycle mirrors ineffective approaches to other conditions, such as encouraging depression or anxiety sufferers to remain inactive. Ultimately, catharsis through aggression does not resolve anger and can instead deepen the emotional difficulties we are trying to overcome.
Why People feel Angry: When Anger Becomes an Acid
Similarly, we would not advise someone with social anxiety to avoid situations completely, as avoidance only strengthens the problem. Likewise, holding onto anger harms the person feeling it more than those it is directed towards, much like Twain’s famous quote. Ultimately, sustained extreme anger can increase the risk of serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and other stress-related conditions.
Anger vs Aggression: Understanding the Difference
It might also be important to highlight the clear difference that exists between anger and aggression. Consequently, while anger and aggression are connected, anger does not necessarily lead to aggressive actions or hostile behaviour. Moreover, anger is primarily an internal emotional state that others may not even notice or recognise from the outside. Similarly, aggression involves outward behaviour that is hostile, destructive, or violent in nature towards people, objects, or situations. Ultimately, while anger can lead to aggression, the reality is that this progression occurs far less often than people might believe.
Why People feel Angry: Adaptive vs Maladaptive Responses
Now, as with every emotion, anger can be adaptive when it motivates positive change and highlights something needing to be addressed. Sometimes, justified anger signals a problem, encouraging us to take constructive action to improve our circumstances and protect our wellbeing. However, when anger becomes excessive, violent, or dangerous, recognising its impact is crucial so we can apply effective coping strategies immediately.
Why People feel Angry & How to Manage It Better
But, if repressing is not effective, and neither is expressing, then what can truly help us? Consequently, developing skills to understand and work through these feelings becomes an important part of emotional growth. Moreover, techniques such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, meditation, and assertiveness training can support healthier responses to anger. Similarly, recognising personal needs and addressing them early can reduce the intensity of emotional reactions over time. Furthermore, the ultimate aim is not only to manage anger but to reduce its presence in daily life. Ultimately, I will share more about this in my next blog post on anger management.
Final Thoughts
Therefore, understanding anger’s nature and potential consequences allows us to respond constructively rather than reacting with harmful or destructive behaviours. Consequently, learning coping strategies such as mindfulness, communication skills, and emotional regulation can help reduce anger’s negative impact on our wellbeing. Moreover, recognising the difference between adaptive and maladaptive anger empowers us to make healthier decisions in emotionally charged situations. Ultimately, by approaching anger with awareness and care, we can transform it into a tool for growth, understanding, and positive change.
Why People feel Angry: Written by Branka Mlinar
If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.
Branka Mlinar is a psychologist and Gestalt therapist offering psychotherapy and counselling to adolescent and adult individuals. She’s mostly worked with problems of anxiety, interpersonal and relationship issues, procrastination, work-related stress, trauma, and grief.
References
Kassinove, H., & Tafrate, R. C. (2002). Anger management: The complete treatment guidebook for practitioners. Impact Publishers.
Lichtenberg, P. (2012). Inclusive and exclusive aggression: Some (Gestalt) reflections. Gestalt Review, 16(2), 145-161.
Ouimette, P., Cronkite, R., Prins, A., & Moos, R. H. (2004). Posttraumatic stress disorder, anger and hostility, and physical health status. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 192(8), 563-566.
