Anger ManagementAnger Management

June 2006June 2006

What triggers anger?What triggers anger?

• Anger is one reaction to an event Anger is one reaction to an event that represents a stress, threat or that represents a stress, threat or loss to youloss to you– BodyBody– PropertyProperty– Self-esteemSelf-esteem– ValuesValues– EntitlementEntitlement

• The stress, threat or loss can be real The stress, threat or loss can be real or perceivedor perceived

Why do some people get angry Why do some people get angry and not others?and not others?

• GeneticsGenetics

• Psychological factorsPsychological factors

• Sociocultural experienceSociocultural experience

Dealing with angry peopleDealing with angry people

Tips to deal with angry people:Tips to deal with angry people:consider the situationconsider the situation

• Acknowledge problem & say sorryAcknowledge problem & say sorry

• Alter the environmentAlter the environment– Back away Back away – Leave the situation Leave the situation

• Use humourUse humour

Tips to deal with angry people:Tips to deal with angry people:consider the other personconsider the other person

• Habit / low frustration toleranceHabit / low frustration tolerance

• Inappropriate expectation of othersInappropriate expectation of others

• Lack of assertivenessLack of assertiveness

• Guilt about the situationGuilt about the situation

• Fear Fear

• May be a sign of underlying distressMay be a sign of underlying distress

Tips to deal with angry people:Tips to deal with angry people:consider yourselfconsider yourself

• RelaxRelax– Take a deep breath if you’re starting to Take a deep breath if you’re starting to

get angryget angry

• Better communicationBetter communication– Be assertive, not aggressiveBe assertive, not aggressive– ListenListen– Use a consultation modelUse a consultation model

Consultation ModelsConsultation Models

• Establish rapport (Neighbour)Establish rapport (Neighbour)

• Listen about patient’s ICE Listen about patient’s ICE (Pendleton)(Pendleton)

• Be aware of the way you both are Be aware of the way you both are reacting (Berne)reacting (Berne)

How to deal with your How to deal with your own angerown anger

Your own angerYour own anger

• Relaxation techniquesRelaxation techniques– Imagine a beach……Imagine a beach……

• Change your environmentChange your environment– E.g. take regular breaksE.g. take regular breaks

• Better communicationBetter communication– Don’t jump to conclusionsDon’t jump to conclusions

Your own angerYour own anger

• Cognitive restructuringCognitive restructuring– Avoid NEVER, ALWAYSAvoid NEVER, ALWAYS– Avoid irrational thoughts “everything’s Avoid irrational thoughts “everything’s

ruined”ruined”– Getting angry wont fix anything, logic Getting angry wont fix anything, logic

defeats angerdefeats anger– Anger may be caused by inescapable Anger may be caused by inescapable

problems and not be misplaced so problems and not be misplaced so handle the problemhandle the problem

– It is OK to be angry, it is what you do It is OK to be angry, it is what you do with it that countswith it that counts

Your own angerYour own anger

• Try assertiveness trainingTry assertiveness training

• Go easy on yourselfGo easy on yourself

Dawley Centre for Dawley Centre for Psychological TherapyPsychological Therapy

• Referrals by professionals or self-referral Referrals by professionals or self-referral to 01952 506838to 01952 506838

• Waiting time 4 monthsWaiting time 4 months

For more information….For more information….• GP Training website:GP Training website:

http://www.trainer.org.uk/members/http://www.trainer.org.uk/members/tools/difficult_patients.htm tools/difficult_patients.htm

• British Association of Anger British Association of Anger Management:Management:

http://www.angermanage.co.uk/ http://www.angermanage.co.uk/

• Ahead4health:Ahead4health:

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/http://www.leeds.ac.uk/ahead4health/anger.htm#Explainahead4health/anger.htm#Explain

QuestionsQuestions

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