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As human beings, we have a wide range of emotions. Anger is an emotion like any other
feeling. It is neither good nor bad in and of itself. The behavior that results from the feeling
of anger is often what many of us see as damaging or destructive. Many individuals are
afraid of their own anger, possibly because they have not been taught how to separate out
the feeling of anger from the behavior that sometimes erupts from the feeling.

There has been a long-standing debate in the mental health field as to whether it is healthy to
vent angry feelings. Some recent studies indicate that expressing anger in an aggressive or
intimidating manner tends to escalate the irritation and frustration rather than releasing the
anger and helping the individual to calm down and gain self-control. Venting anger on a
consistent basis can have long-term physical and social consequences.

Following are seven social and physical effects from venting anger:

Angry individuals tend to have negative thoughts that accompany their

emotions. Because of this, resolving their problems becomes more
difficult.

Someone who regularly vents his or her anger tends to come across as

unfriendly, intimidating and even hostile.

Approaching a person with whom you have a disagreement from an

angry position is likely to result in the other person matching your
behavior and becoming angry in return.

Anger has a very negative effect on our physical health. It has been

associated with stomach and intestinal problems such as ulcers,
irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.

A key predictor for coronary heart disease is the Type A personality

individual with chronic hostility.

An anger outburst typically results in an increase in blood pressure.

Individuals with ongoing high blood pressure problems are often those
who chronically suppress their anger.

Studies have shown that chronic suppressed anger activates the

sympathetic nervous system response. This fight or flight response
results in the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and
cortisol. Over a period of time, these hormones weaken the blood
vessels in the body, resulting in increased Studies risk of heart attacks
and strokes.

Obviously, from a health and relationship standpoint, learning to effectively manage our
anger is important. Many outlets are available to manage our anger. A major one is learning
to identify and talk through the gradual buildup of irritations before getting to the explosion
point. Other healthy releases for anger include exercising, yoga or relaxation techniques to
calm our stress response. Anger typically is an emotion signaling either stress, hurt or fear.
It’s our responsibility to tune into what the anger is trying to tell us and to express it in a
constructive manner.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only. If you are in need of
mental health services, please contact a provider in your community.

© 2008 Family Recovery Resources
All Rights Reserved

Many of us have never
been taught to separate
out the feeling of anger
from the behavior that
sometimes erupts from
         the feeling.

Expressing anger in
an aggressive or
intimidating manner
tends to escalate the
irritation and
frustration.

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