Are you angry all of the time? Do people avoid being around you like you’re a walking contagion? Is chronic anger stealing the joy and fun out of your life and your relationship? Have you had to telepathically count to 20 in many situations because you were afraid of another major outburst? If you answered, “yes”, to any of these questions, then it’s time to slow down and reflect on the underlying issues that could be causing you so much distress. Well, take a sit and read on.
Chronic anger is an explosive and unpredictable emotional response. No one should ever underestimate what a volatile person might do. Everyone gets angry at some point—that’s life. However, there’s a major difference when a person becomes synonymous with it.
We can define chronic anger as a prolonged lack of control of one’s emotions in response to a subjectively unpleasant situation. A person experiencing this mental disorder will just lose it, without regard to how such a reaction might affect others, including himself/herself.
It is important to know that a dramatic outburst is not necessary for others to feel and see your anger coming on. Unfortunately for you but fortunately for others, your body language is an unbiased and accurate polygraph of the emotions that rage within you. If others are observant enough, they can brace themselves for what’s to come.
Chronic anger can be a symptom of something much more serious. A person doesn’t just get angry without an underlying cause. It may be a mental health issue, a suppression of traumatic past experiences, an abusive relationship issue, an inferior complex issue, and more. The bottom line is that chronic anger will affect a person’s mental and physical health, if not checked. It will also lessen one’s chances of experiencing happiness and living life to the fullest. It is a detrimental emotion that destroys healthy lives and sometimes even the best relationships.
No matter how much one tries to ignore this truth, if you are full of anger most of your waking hours, chances are few people want to be around you. Everyone knows, and even anticipates, something will always go down whenever you’re around. So people will do an about face in a flash whenever they see you coming their way. Sounds horrible, right?
The good news is that you can change how you react to testy situations, but it’ll take work. Nevertheless, you have to persist. Instead of using that extra energy or adrenaline in another tantrum, galvanize it into gaining more self-control. Being quick to anger is shortening your life. It is sucking up your positive energy, which is mandatory for a mutually wonderful relationship.
Why is anger so dangerous to a healthy relationship?
Anger diminishes one’s common sense and rational. An angry person doesn’t always think of the consequences of his or her outbursts; they just react on a whim. The angrier a person gets, the more difficult it is to see and hear clearly. You cannot listen to what your partner is saying while in a rage. So it is easy to see how anger can destroy your relationship—fast.
Anger and unhappiness are interconnected. It is impossible for a person who is suffering from chronic anger to be happy. Being angry can drive you to other negative attributes that will only get you unhappier, which in turn will only make you angrier. It’s an endless cycle.
A few reasons to consciously control your temperament:
- More peace of mind
- More serenity at home
- Better health
- One less habit to increase chances of high blood pressure, stroke, or heart attack
- More productivity
- Social life will improve
- Stronger and happier relationships
- Communication will improve
- Enhanced awareness
Do yourself and everyone else around you a huge favor, work on managing your anger now. Understand what is causing you to be so angry and impatient all the time. Get help from a professional if you have to. Meditate. Talk to your spouse or significant other. The point is that you need to take actions to address this disorder that’s eating you up from within.
Congratulations to you for taking that first step from less anger but more toward tranquility.
Happy living,
