Anger is a natural emotional response to provocation or aggravation. It is experienced by all humans at times, and particularly where it centers on survival.
Uncontrolled anger can be harmful to others and to the person experiencing the feelings. However, suppressing anger can also create a range of physical and emotional outcomes and may be dangerous if, or when, the anger erupts in uncontrollable or violent outbursts.
Some people express anger aggressively or some communicate it passively. Most people understand and recognise the aggressive form of anger such as:
Bullying, threatening
Explosive rage or reactions
Unpredictable and/or unfair behaviours
Revenge or punishing
Destructive
Hurtful
Passive anger and its manifestations, while less visible, are equally destructive. This can be seen in a variety of behaviours such as:
Sulking, silences or withdrawal of communication
Gossiping, patronising, putting people down
Emotionally blackmailing
Overly critical of self or others
Self-sacrificing
Setting up self or others for failure
So the question is how to have appropriate and/or safe expression of anger for ourselves and others.
In Somatic Psychotherapy, we look at the presentation, catalysts and the emotional and physical experiences of anger. It is also essential to explore the history, background, role models and cultural expectations of your experiences regarding anger and its effects and impacts on you and others.
We also look at how anger is experienced within the body and how physical, energetic, cognitive and emotional awareness can empower you to work constructively with what can be a valuable emotion to learn more about oneself.