Therapy for Managing Anger
Anger is a natural human emotion that we all experience in response to a perceived threat, injustice, or frustration.
In men, anger can be a mask for other more complex emotions. Often, when a therapist notices anger, we get curious about the anxiety, depression and trauma that may precede the frustration.
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Fortunately, therapy is highly effective in managing anger. Through counseling and behavioral therapy, you can learn techniques to identify and manage emotions, as well as learn new coping mechanisms.
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Trauma + Anger
Men who have experienced traumatic events, such as childhood abuse, combat, or a natural disaster, may find themselves struggling with anger management issues.
This is because trauma can cause emotional dysregulation, making it harder to control impulses and manage intense feelings.
And understandably so! When our internal landscape is shaken by circumstances that are out of our control, our defenses go up.
We tend to feel unsafe (emotionally or physically) and find emotional expressions that were taught to us to maintain a false sense of safety.
Anger is an emotion that is relatively acceptable for men to display and can be an emotional default.
Expressing anger after experiencing trauma is normal and natural - though when anger posed by trauma goes untreated over a long period of time, it can cause further distress in relationships and ultimately lead to other symptoms of isolation, suicide ideation, depression, anxiety, insomnia...the list goes on.
Depression + Anger
Interestingly, a common response to depression in men is anger.
Men who struggle with depression may find that they have trouble regulating their emotions. This lack of control may cause some individuals to shut down and for others, anger follows.
Women are more likely to respond to depression with symptoms of sadness, hopelessness and lethargy. In men, clinical therapists note depression often leading to irritability, which can further fuel angry outbursts.
From a sociological perspective this make a lot of sense. When men are taught by society to constantly be in control of their emotions, be reliable, dependable, etc. - depression takes away from their ability to maintain this sense of control. Who wouldn't be angry?
It comes back to understanding where the depression stems from in the first place, and this is where your therapist will guide your conversation to. Insight to the nuances, fluidity and every changing emotional landscape that you experience is proven to be one of the most effective forms of treatment to behavioral change.
This means that when you understand yourself better, you can better take ahold of your mental health.
Stress + Anger
In today's society, stress levels are high for everyone. Between COVID, the rising cost of living, societal pressures, social media and more - there is no shortage of stress.
Men who are struggling with job stress, financial stress, or relationship stress may find themselves struggling with managing their emotions. Stress can also exacerbate symptoms of depression and trauma, leading to more intense outbursts.
In anger management therapy, you can expect to connect with your therapist in a way that activates your mirror neurons. But what does this mean?
When your therapist is in a regulated, grounded state and you begin to interact with them, your mirror neurons kick in to help your nervous system start to get regulated as well. Though the benefits of anger management therapy for men are vast and much more complex than this...we know that therapy is one of the most efficient ways to decrease stress partly due to mirror neuron functioning.
Neurofeedback as an Alternative to Medication for Anger Management
Neurofeedback for anger management in Denver, CO is a powerful tool for creating long lasting changes in brainwave activity to help you slow your emotions down and choose a better reaction.
f you are interested in better self regulation without talking through your problems - neurofeedback is for you!
