Dr. C Mahadeo, Asc., MBBS, DSurg.

General Surgeon GPHC

What is Anger?
Difficult to define, but we all know what it is
A strong feeling of displeasure or hostility. Latin root angere "to throttle, torment;"

Currently, very little is known about the biological and

physiological aspects of anger There is, however, a large amount of information available on the causes of emotions in general

A Definition to make you Angry

Anger is described as a negative phenomenological

experience that exists on a continuum in which the frequency, intensity, and duration of the experience, along with expressive (i.e., subjective, physiological, interpretive, and behavioral) characteristics, often leads to significant impairment (e.g., Kassinove & Sukhodolsky, 1995; Kassinove & Tafrate 2002; Novaco, 1975).

First Truth
Anger is: Real Sometimes uncontrollable Causes physiological changes in the body Causes mental changes Disastrous consequences if uncontrolled

Murder Maiming Arson etc.

Lies
Gives a feeling of power
Self-Righteous Command attention

Makes subordinates obey commands

This is not cool! Is this You?

Theories Explaining Anger

Evolutionary
Thalamic James-Lang

Cognitive
These are all incomplete and lack certain components,

however, we know how anger feels!!

Do you think she is Angry?

What do I do?
Ask your self a few questions.. Who controls your anger? Who can make you angry? Answer: ?

The Answer??

You!!

Facts
Anger is not:
a reflex automatic caused by others Impossible to control

Anger is:
a result of our thinking a choice controlled by your own

thinking Can be sudden or slow onset

A-B Theory of Emotional Arousal

A
Event e.g. Somebody pushes in line ahead of you

B
Consequent Emotion 1. Annoyance 2. Anger 3. Reaction

A-B-C Theory of Emotional Arousal

C
Emotion 1.Annoyance 2. Anger 3.Reaction

Event Beliefs Someone pushes Inconsiderate In the line ahead such a fool

What can we do?

Develop keys to anger control Recognize that your thoughts control your anger; Accepting that you alone can control your anger; Choosing how much and how long you want to be angry; Controlling your anger by controlling your thinking. Develop a conscious meditative skill Recognizing when you are becoming angry

Anger Management
Skills needed in dealing with your anger: 1. Identify a range of feelings including anger 2. Identify aggressive acts by self and others 3. Identify the potential consequences to self and

others from these aggressive acts 4. Identify self-destructive behavior 5. Identify thoughts prior to aggressive acts 6. Identify internal cues to feelings of anger 7. Develop coping mechanisms for dealing with anger 8. Express anger without loss of control

Identifying Anger Triggers

AVOID THESE TRIGGERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE Embarrassment Excitement Disappointment Jealousy Fear Helpless Sadness Left-out/Not-credited for work Extreme unwarranted criticism Allowing 3rd party influence and others to steal your happiness

Learn methods of Control/Reasoning

I am in charge of my own feelings: 1. I own my feelings. 2. It is okay to feel angry. 3. Anger is part of being human. 4. I learn how to express my anger in helpful ways.

What aggressive acts do we have??

Throw something Kick someone or something Get in someones face Shoving, grabbing, hitting Break something Call someone names Give someone a dirty look Silent treatment Get others to gang up Spread rumors

What do I do???
I choose to feel good about myself through

expressing my feelings. I express angry feelings in ways that are fair to others and me. I use fairness with judgment I attempt full emotional control when I recognize that I am angry

 The more I learn to take care of my anger

the more powerful I become. 1. I need to control what I do with my anger. 2.I control how I let my anger out. 3.I practice cooling off. 4.I watch my thoughts.

Other Methods of control

Finding ways to stay calm and collected:

1. 2.

3.
4. 5. 6.

Get exercise every day. Eat right. Get enough sleep. Learn to relax. Know your feelings. Write about those feelings.

Suppose I am losing control??

Think of the consequences of your action as follows:

Physical harm to others or self e.g. suicide Destruction of property e.g. burn the house

Loss of family/friends e.g divorce or murder

Loss of job Loss of social privileges Going to jail Getting a bad reputation

What can make me lose control?

Anything that dulls my senses loss of reason ALCOHOL: all types NARCOTICS: cocaine, crack HALLUCINOGENS: marijuana, ganja STIMULANTS: amphetamine, ecstasy LOCATION: being in the wrong place at the wrong time ASSOCIATION: being in the wrong company you become ensnared in the vices STUPIDITY AND SELF DESTRUCTIVE TENDENCIES e.g. negative talk, blaming others, reckless driving, promiscuity.

Universal Solutions

Accept responsibility for your actions Stop blaming others Carefully think about the situation prior to reaction Learn to recognize internal feelings of anger and control them e.g. grinding teeth, clenching fists etc Understand that anger may need to be vented so find a way of releasing it responsibly e.g. discussion Know of the things that pushes your buttons; avoid them THINK CAREFULLY!!!

Summarize a situation
THINK CAREFULLY!!! Calm yourself

Find possible solutions

Evaluate them carefully Pick the best solution

Institute the necessary change(s)

Exercise extreme respect and regard for others if you

have to diffuse a situation; be FAIR in judgment. Congratulate yourself on a job well done.

Is this only talk?

No!!!! There is evidence that anger is the root of almost all

stressful and violent events Publications in the journals of

Occupational health and safety
British journal of Psychiatry American journal of Psychiatry etc. Himalyan and Patanjali yoga system All books on Hindu Philosophy Daily newspapers

Current Events: News Headlines

Man kills wife and attempts to hang self at Tain Man chops wife and commits suicide Man chops wife and mother-in-law Wife dies at home husband arrested, suspected foul play (husband alcoholic) [Canjie Berbice] Magistrate Tejnarine Ramroop pulled no punches yesterday as he blamed excessive alcohol and drug use on the many cases of domestic violence in Berbice Man from Rampoor charged for malicious wounding of woman [KN, July 28] Man drowns 2 children after argument with wife and then hangs self in Essequibo ETC. What do these cases all have in common???

Answer

Alcohol was involved in all cases

All were

Hindus!!

PARTICIPATION IN EMOTION CONTROL SESSION

sangas tesuupajaayate sangaat sanjaayate kaamah kaamaat krodho 'bhijaayate (BG. 2:62)
While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person

develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.

 krodhaad bhavati sammohah

sammohaat smrti-vibhramah smrti-bhramsaad buddhi-naaso buddhi-naasaat pranasyati (BG. 2:63)

From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool.