Anger Management - News

Roger Elliott wrote:To get angry, you need to make a single interpretation such as "He did that because he is trying to humiliate me", "she did that on purpose and I'm going to show her I won't take it", or whatever.

That's very insightful, especially because going with the first interpretation seems to be coupled with pleasure but it's a fleeting one, much better to relax and let your mind come up with multiple interpretations for the situation at hand so as to break out of the arousal-meaning loop.

I totally agree that the way we interpret situations determine our feelings and our responses. If we interpret the same situation differently, our response will be different. Therefore, it is important that we take control of the thousand of messages we use daily.
Self talk is an important technique for making changes in our daily lives as well as mangaging anger and stress.

George Andeson

An Enlightened Public Discovers Anger Management

The recent pattern of referrals to anger management classes shows a dramatic shift in client profiles. Over the last seven years most referrals were from the Courts for misdemeanor offenses and infractions with aggressive behavior being the reason for order. Several weeks ago, I sat in on a class as a Guest Facilitator. When the group members were asked to introduce themselves and indicate their goals, the majority of clients were volunteers who wanted to gain a better control of their expressions of anger, enhance communication skills and learn to be more emotionally intelligent. Several clients were parents who were concerned over their behavior towards their children.
The second client group was employees who were mandated by their employers to complete an anger management class as a result of aggressive behavior at work. These clients were initially resistant until they had a chance to hear from the larger number of self referrals who view the class as a positive experience to improve their interpersonal skills. Most of the mandated clients express surprise that others come voluntarily. This realization quickly helps them see their mandated status as a blessing in disguise since they are given an opportunity to learn important new skills at their employer’s expense.
The smaller group of clients who were ordered to attend from 10 to 52 weeks of anger management as the result of road rage, simple battery, threats, harassment or some other person directed aggression are quickly influenced by the other clients to take the course seriously and actively participate.
This brief summary indicates that the enlightened public is rapidly recognizing anger management as a positive opportunity to lean skills in managing stress, anger and improving communication skills and developing emotional intelligence.
George Anderson, MSW, LCSW, BCD
Fellow, American Orthopsychiatric Association
Diplomate, American Association of Anger Management Providers.

2 Shot to Death at Maintenance Yard

This was the headlines in todays Los Angeles Times. The two victims were employees of the city's Bureau of Street Maintenance. The shooter was also a twenty year employee of the same department.

According to article, "Volunteer members of the city's crises response team went to the scene to counsel any workers or family members who had seen or heard news reports of the shooting and gone to the maintenance yard." Unfortunately, Los Angeles, like most private and public organizations do not offer anger management to line staff and managers as a proactive measure to avoid needless deaths and workplace violence.

Anger is a normal human emotion. It is a problem when it occurs too frequently, is too intense, lasts too long or leads to violence. While we do not know the details in this case, we do know that it led to violence and death. The article indicates that the shooter was angry over being reprimanded for being late.

One major employer which has previously been the brunt of considerable negative publicity regarding workplace violence is the U.S. Postal Service. Fortunately, the Postal Service has taken a proactive role in prevention of workplace violence by offering anger management classes to employees exhibiting stress, depression, anxiety, impatience or irritability. If an employee's work performance or relationship with other employees or customers suggest inappropriate displays of anger or aggression, he or she is mandated to take anger management classes as a condition of continued employment. It has been a long time since we have read about violence at any postal facility.

I sent an e-mail to SHIRM, the largest professional association representing Human Resource Managers in the nation. I asked a simply question: Does your organization offer training in anger management for your membership? The answer was "No" without explanation. Anger management is a cost saving intervention. It may also save lives.