Recognizing the Need for Anger Management: Signs & What to Do

Everyone experiences anger; the problem is knowing whether you handle it properly or let anger handle you. Someone who is angry a lot of the time may wonder if he needs anger management therapy to help him control it. As with many problems, admitting you have a problem is the first step. If you show many of the signs below, you should consider looking into anger management.

Quick Flare Ups

• Quick flare ups of rage are typical indicators of a lack of control. If the smallest things bother you tremendously and cause you to become extremely angry, there is a possibility that anger management will help you control the anger and its triggers.

Violence

• Any sort of violent reaction when angry--punching, kicking an inanimate object or attacking someone--definitely means that you need to manage your anger and should find someone qualified to help you.

Physical Signs

• If you get angry and experience extreme shaking, pounding headache or stomach churning, then you are not handling anger well and could benefit from anger management techniques.

Cravings

• If getting angry triggers a need to drink or smoke something, then you probably are trying to relax the anger away. However, this usually only intensifies the anger.

Verbal Abuse

• When you are in a rage, you may feel the need to strike out, not physically but verbally, and engage in damaging name-calling or cursing at another person.