Anger-newpathways-vancouver-counseling-clinic-therapy-psychology

Anger is a surprisingly complex emotion

What is Anger?


Anger is an emotion that is characterized by annoyance, displeasure or antagonism toward something or someone that you feel has deliberately done wrong with us. It may have been because of personal circumstances - maybe someone harmed you or you felt very frustrated because you had so much work to do. It may have even been related to something that didn't happen to you directly. All of us experience the feeling of anger from time to time, but how we express this emotion can vary widely from individual to individual.

Moreover, Anger is a surprisingly complex emotion. It can happen in many different circumstances for many different reasons. Because of its complexities, there is no solid agreement among psychologists about how many forms of anger there are or how to classify them.

Types of Anger

  1. Passive Anger: This an anger that doesn't express itself as anger. Instead, it seeps out in little ways, such as sarcastic comments or acts of unconscious aggression against the person you're mad at.
  2. Volatile Anger: This anger type is on the opposite end of the spectrum from passive anger. With volatile anger, you know you're mad, and so does everyone else. This kind of anger is often explosive and unpredictable. It can easily be out of control, leading to words and actions that you immediately regret once the storm has passed.
  3. Fear-Based anger: Sometimes, it is easier to be mad than scared. That's especially true when we fear for the safety of a loved one. Besides, anger often gets results, at least temporarily. Consciously or unconsciously, we may vent our anger on our loved ones in the hope of shocking them with oubehaviorehaviours that terrify us. In the long run, however, showing anger when what we're really feeling is fear is not constructive.
  4. Frustration-Based Anger: This is directed against a loved one, it's a lot like fear-based anger. We have the highest expectations and greatest hopes for those we love most. When we see them failing to live up to what we think is their highest potential, we get frustrated, and that frustration can all too often boil over into anger.
  5. Pain-Based Anger: This is a type of anger that masks hurt, pain, or even clinical depression. Fear, pain, and sadness are among the most difficult emotions to deal with. For some people, anger is easier because, if only for a moment, anger can make you feel powerful, whereas sadness and depression can make you feel weak.
  6. Chronic Anger: This anger can be a rush. The adrenaline surges. You feel powerful, dominant--at least in the moment. That hormonal rush can feel great, and to be sure there's a sense of power. chronic anger is an addiction and, without help, not only will it wreak havoc on your physical and mental health, but it will also destroy your relationships
  7. Manipulative Anger: Manipulative anger can be a lot like chronic anger. It's used as a conscious or unconscious tool for controlling others. Like volatile anger, manipulative anger is often loud and explosive. The goal is to shock those around you into compliance.
  8. Overwhelmed Anger: No question, life is hard. We're stressed. We're tired. We're anxious and worried. Some days, you feel like you're barely keeping your head above water. This is when we are most vulnerable to "overwhelmed anger." This is the kind of anger that happens when life just gets to be too much.