Anger
What is Anger & How is it Harmful?
"Stress is an emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has a deliberately done you wrong.
Anger can be a good thing. It can give you a way to express negative feelings, for example, or motivate you to find solutions to problems.
But excessive anger can cause problems. Increased blood pressure and other physical changes associated with anger make it difficult to think straight and harm your physical and mental health." (American Psychology Association, 2020)
Anger Styles
Aggressive
This anger style often feels the need to be in control of themselves, others, and the situation. They often manipulate others until the other person feels guilty or backs down.
Behavior Will Look Like: Threats, Abuse, Humiliation
Passive
A passive person tends to avoid conflict and confrontation. These people tend to not express their needs and feelings and have trouble saying no without feeling guilty.
Behavior Will Look Like: Avoidance of Problem, Feeling Fearful, or Uncomfortable
Passive Aggressive
A passive-aggressive person uses subtle aggression techniques to manipulate the situation/person. They use cues such as body language, tone, or actions to convey anger, but won't explicitly communicate it.
Behavior Will Look Like: Silent Treatment, Withdraw Love/Affection
Projective Aggressive
A projective-aggressive person often appears passive, however, they are usually angry and are afraid to own and express the anger. Instead, they project that anger onto someone else.
Behavior Will Look Like: Get others to act on their anger for them
Assertive
An assertive person states their needs in an open and direct way, and don't wait for someone to read their mind. At the same time, they try to consider other people's feelings and opinions too.
Behavior Will Look Like: State what is on their Mind. Takes responsibility over life and choices.
Anger Management
Discover the Root of your Anger
If you get angry quickly over little, and unimportant things, there may be a deeper issue of why you’re upset. The small inconveniences may just pose as a temporary justification for your anger. Chronic anger can be harmful to your health. There is some evidence that supports that anger and hostility are linked to heart disease, chronic pain, sleep difficulties, and digestive problems.
Be Aware of Anger Warning Signs & Triggers
Your body gives you physical indicators when you’re getting angry. Here are few warning signs to consider: pounding heart, headache, breathing faster, clenching your jaw or hands, or tensing your shoulders.
Find Healthier Ways to Express Your Anger
- Learn to Listen-Listening can help you understand the situation more fully. There are several different types of listening
ULifeline-Online Resource for College Mental Health
ULifeline is a comprehensive, confidential, online resource center for college students regarding mental and emotional health.
ULifeline @ HCCBreathing & Relaxation Techniques
Breathing exercises are a good way to move your mind & body away from the conflict and anger.
- Relaxation & Breathing Exercises (Audio), University of Houston.
Meditation
- Modern Health offers free online Meditation Workshops Audio
- Audio Meditation Podcasts by Kaiser Permanente: Panic Attacks & Anxiety, Stress.
- "The 21 Best Meditation Podcasts to Listen to in 2020", Sara Lindberg, VeryWellMind.com
- Yoga & Meditation in Houston
Support Groups/Discussions/Programs
- Modern Health provides free virtual discussion-based sessions to cope & manage stress.
Videos
- "Conflict Resolution", University of Houston
Contact an HCC Counselor
HCC Counselors are licensed-professionals with masters or doctoral degrees who offer free, time-limited, short-term counseling to currently enrolled students.
Contact a counselor to schedule an appointment today
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