Anger

Anger is an emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong (American Psychological Association).

Anger can be a good thing. It can give you a way to express negative feelings, for example, or motivate you to find solutions to problems (American Psychological Association).

Externally there is teeth grinding, fists clenching, flushing, paling, prickly sensations, numbness, sweating, muscle tensions and temperature changes (Edmonds).

Internally, the amygdala in the brain is stimulated in anger striking situations.blood flow is increasing to the frontal lobe, specifically the part of the brain that's over the left eye. This area controls reasoning and is likely what's keeping you from hurling a vase across the room (Edmonds).


When the amygdala is alert, it signals the production of chemical molecules. This happens to send an alarm to your body in order for you to be alert. When you get angry, your brain orders the release of neurotransmitters called catecholamines.Epinephrine and norepinephrine lead to the increase of blood pressure, an accelerated heart rate, and faster breathing. Your heart muscles contract and your blood vessels constrict (Kara).

Generally angry people may not produce acetylcholine, a hormone which tempers the more severe effects of adrenaline. Their nervous system is constantly working and can eventually become overexerted, leading to a weakened heart and stiffer arteries There's potential for liver and kidney damage, as well as high cholesterol. Anger may bring along some accompanying issues, such as depression or anxiety. Some scientists think that chronic anger may be more dangerous than smoking and obesity as a factor that will contribute to early death (Edmonds).
Research shows that when we’re angry, we lose the ability to fully see the consequences of our actions. This leads us to behave in ways we wouldn’t normally when we’re calm (Science of people).

We get angry when we feel there has been a "violation of expectation and blockage of goals" (Edmonds). When we feel as though something that goes against our code of ethics occurs, we want to try to return justice and peace to the situation through anger.

Possible reasons include genetics, traumatic experiences and environmental stress. It may also be societal; if your society holds that anger is bad, then you may not learn how to express anger productively (Edmonds). We can also get angry due to frustration, stress, drug abuse, cultural effects, and bodily dysfunctions deriving from diseases (Kara).

- When we get cut off while driving.
- When we are insulted.
- When we see a child being abused (Edmonds).

Our desires, goals or expectations are not met.
We feel threatened.
We’re trying to hide other emotions (men in particular will act out in anger to cover up vulnerable feelings like sadness and fear) (Science of people).

- A study found that Chinese babies were more calm than American babies and were able to withstand anger triggering situations better.
- We find the culturally appropriate responses to anger and we follow them.
- Men get angrier at strangers, women get angrier at those close to them (Edmonds).

- Anger-in is turning anger inwards. This method of keeping anger inside has been described as depression
- Anger-out is expressing anger outwardly in ways that include physical assault on people or objects and hostile verbal assault
- In studies, respondents have identified talking things over with the offender as the most appropriate way to deal with anger
- Exercise, meditation, watching your favorite sitcom (Edmonds).
- Breathe slowly, meditate start a diary do sports, sleep well and enough (Kara).

- Think before you speak
- Once you're calm, express your anger
- Take a timeout
- Identify possible solutions
- Don't hold a grudge
- Use humor to release tension
- Practice relaxation skills
- Know when to seek help (Mayo Clinic).