We all have our triggers—those little pet peeves and touchy subjects. But there’s a difference between having our temper flare temporarily and deep, seething anger that can feel impossible to let go of. For some people, anger is an emotion that’s difficult to control. It detrimentally erodes their interpersonal relationships,…
Anxiety and anger are common emotional states that many of us experience—sometimes daily. But when we’re unable to manage the intensity of these emotions, they might transform into chronic issues. This means that it’s important to think through the causes of anxiety and anger, as well as how to prevent…
We all know what it means — and what it feels like — to be angry. However, our experience with anger can vary: Some hold it in until they can scribble down their feelings in a journal; others don’t dream of holding themselves back and lash out furiously instead. This…
It’s uncomfortable (and even scary) to witness that one friend fly off the handle from a minor provocation or a stranger epically lose their cool in the grocery store. Big, aggressive behavior from our fellow humans can feel terrorizing, especially when they suggest physical violence. How can innocent bystanders wrap…
Do you struggle with expressing your feelings? Instead of calmly communicating how you feel, do you resort to lashing out in anger instead? Finally, is there no real rhyme or reason for why you react with anger? Anger is a natural reaction in many situations. It’s healthy to recognize the…
Here’s the thing: Anger is normal. We all have those days that are completely infuriating. We receive bad news or things don’t go as planned. This, on top of trivial things, can cause us to overreact with rage. Now, there’s another thing we have in common here: we all also…
Click here to schedule online counseling at Thriveworks. Hello. My name is Michael Monahan. I’m a clinician with Thriveworks in Reston, VA. But with all the recent issues going on in the country, I’ve been tasked with answering the question, “Is it normal to have anger around COVID-19?” In addition…
We all have those days when we get infuriated by trivial things: traffic, slow internet, a lost remote. I’m getting annoyed just thinking about it! Still, here are 3 tips that can help conquer anger: One, take a deep breath. when you feel anger bubbling up inside try this: Breathe…
Anger can increase the risk for chronic disease in older individuals. Many worry about their older relatives feeling unhappy. But a new study from Concordia University says that anger is more harmful to older individuals than sadness. Researchers analyzed data from 226 older adults aged 59 to 93. These participants…
Do you know someone who becomes increasingly aggressive when they drink? I do. A friend from college was always a loose cannon at the bars. The night would start out tame enough—we’d camp out at a table, typically in the corner, and chat over a couple drinks. But after John…
We have long disagreed over whether aggressive behavior is inborn or learned—which has led to many research efforts, including the Bobo doll experiment. This study concluded that children become aggressive through observational learning; that is, through watching someone else conduct the same behavior. However, other studies disagree—or at least note…
Assertive and aggressive behavior are two totally different approaches to communication and, often, confrontation. But one often reaps better benefits — learn about the difference between the two and which you should turn to. What Is the Difference Between Assertive and Aggressive? In my junior year of college, I spent…
