Does a Loved One Need Anger Management Counseling?

Have you ever blown your stack by over-responding to a situation? Maybe it would be easier to ask if you know someone who hasn’t. Virtually everyone has said something in anger that they wish they could take back. After nasty words are spoken or mean actions are taken, they can have a hurtful or escalating effect on others, and it is too late to undo their impact. That is why anger management counseling can be beneficial for those who have trouble controlling angry responses to irritating situations. There is no shame attached to seeking anger management counseling in fact, true shame comes from the failure to admit there is a problem and trying to take remedial action.

Anger management counseling can be sought for many reasons. In some cases, a doctor, spouse, or supervisor may recommend it. In other cases, a person may be able to contain physical and verbal expressions of anger, but realize that emotionally, his or her rage surpasses what one should expect in a given situation. At the point of this recognition, a wise person will consider anger management classes, training, or counsel to keep their emotions under check and to manage responses in a healthy way.

What Does Anger Management Counseling Involve?

Any type of personal counseling proceeds effectively when the client admits there is a problem or that others believe he or she has a problem. In this case, anger management counseling will focus on exploring the roots of unresolved anger, discovering triggers of current or unexplained anger, and looking at ways to try to bring anger under reasonable control. Working with a trained and possibly licensed therapist, a client will answer many questions about personal history, current conditions, and future expectations. He may even take one or more psychology tests that could provide insight into the patient’s mindset.

If anger management counseling warrants, a client may be referred to a doctor for a medical workup that could check the person’s hormonal levels, blood levels, and overall condition to see if health problems play a role. Perhaps the prescription of a mood elevator, an anti-anxiety or bipolar medication, or another type of medicine will have a positive effect on helping someone manage anger difficulties.

Anger management counseling also may involve the recommendation of self-help techniques that someone can practice at home or on the job. These might include keeping a journal and writing about negative feelings, getting a pet to help reduce irritation and promote a serene home environment, learning to adjust expectations, and being honest about disappointment, hurt, or irritation. Even adopting an exercise routine can help to balance bodily functions and contribute to a greater sense of well-being.