Anger In Serious Cases

Although anger is a normal and usually healthy emotion, it can cause problems. In serious cases, individuals can seem out of control (Astuti 2012).
Anger is closely related to aggression (Willner et al 2013).
Dowd (2006) discusses the case of 'Joe'. Joe's anger was severe enough that his wife had threatened to leave him unless he sought help to control his outbursts at her and their children. Joe reluctantly sought help.
After further discussion with the therapist, it emerged that Joe stifled his anger at work, knowing that an outburst could result in him being fired.
However, he would carry the anger within him and privately fume about incidents. Joe admitted to being occasionally impatient.
The therapist administered anger and anxiety tests.
Nor is information given regarding Joe's physical fitness level and if he takes part in any exercise such as sports. Had
Joe played sports, it would have been interesting to discover how physical exercise affected his anger.
Joe was recommended nine sessions of treatment for anger management, including cognitive hypnotherapy. The therapist moved slowly at first, working on building rapport and presenting himself as a non-threatening person, never challenging, but focussing on asking for clarification of details. This is an excellent method, due to the fact that Joe had been in denial, and because of the potential for anxiety and overt anger.
Joe was asked to keep a log, especially what situation triggered the anger and his own thoughts at the time. It may have been useful to request more specific information in the log, such as how his body felt at the time

The following week, Joe reported two incidents at home. The first occurred when one of his children received a low grade at school, and Joe got angry.
His wife then sided with the child and Joe felt as if they had ganged up on him. This made him angrier. The second incident was when his other
The sixth session focussed on Joe's childhood. It emerged his mother was bad-tempered and Joe never knew when she might get angry. Joe's father was distant. Joe only occasionally received praise and frequently received criticism from his mother. The therapist identified emotional deprivation and suggested that Joe's interpersonal family behaviour was modeled on that of his mother. This might be true but may have been too early to openly discuss given Joe's increased anxiety at the following session in which he said he rarely felt angry now but felt increasingly anxious and like a failure.
At session eight, the therapist used the yes set to deal with feelings of failure and returned Joe to the beach scene. Joe was asked to imagine the waves rising and falling the next time he felt anger. At session nine, Joe reported feeling calmer and happier knowing his did not have to try to control events.
After session nine, the therapist referred him to a social skills group.
I would have recommended regularly taking part in a physical sport or activity such as jogging, in addition to attending the social skills group. I would