Jeffrey Obermeier

The Advocate

Students on campus may express anger for many different reasons. They may get angry at instructors for getting a low grade on an assignment, for what they perceive as unfair treatment, for a misunderstanding or because students who are stressed will focus their anger and frustrations toward their instructors who are in a position of authority over them. Administrative staff also may be the focus of a student’s anger for not being able to answer a question or for directing a student somewhere else for help.Unresolved anger or resentment will fester and may cause a student to lose sleep, perform poorly in class, drop a class or drop out of school or cause a disturbance either on or off campus.

When anger is a problem

We all feel anger sometimes. Problem anger is defined as being more intense than what most other people would expect for a particular situation, is long lasting, and occurs often. People who have a problem with anger get upset frequently and their anger seems inappropriate. Others may be shaken by the intensity of the anger leaving them with hurt feelings or even physically hurt. Intense reactions, such as rage and infuriation, festering fantasies of revenge and aggression, and other such manifestations of strong anger are harmful to self and others.

Problem anger
Is intense
Doesn’t calm down easily
Occurs frequently

What Causes Anger?

Anger is an innate universal emotion, but it can also be a symptom of depression or feeling overly stressed. Anger is also a learned behavior. Facial expressions and responses to some triggers may be universal, but we also learn what kinds of responses are appropriate or inappropriate. Therefore, as a society, we know when anger is excessive or repulsive, such as in the case of road rage, street-fighting, acts of vandalism, or domestic violence. Children learn what is acceptable and what is unacceptable from their family, and in the schools or by watching TV or movies, from reading comic books, listening to music and from video games. If a person is raised in a family where excessive anger or violence is an acceptable reaction to a stressor, then the likelihood of repeating those behaviors is increased.

Anger is reinforced by positive events following an outburst, thus strengthening the behavior. People are more likely to do what you want them to do if you get angry at them or they act more submissively in your presence if they believe you have a quick temper. Other reinforcers of angry behavior are physiological arousal, admiration by your peer group, and increased feelings of personal power.

Most people are aware that violence is increasing in elementary and high schools, creating the need for increased security and metal detectors. Arguably, this phenomenon will spill over into college campuses. Therefore it is important to know how to recognize someone with an anger management problem and what they can do to help control it.

How to Reduce Problem Anger

Stress management reduces anger.

Learn how to relax. Many resources are available to teach people relaxation techniques. This manages physical arousal when angry.
Increase exercise. Exercise is a great stress reducer.
Take time to enjoy nature, listen to music, participate in pleasurable activities such as going out with friends, going to a movie, going for walks, taking long, hot baths, stretching or meditating.
Be more aware of how your anger affects your health, family, peers and other people around you. Be open to the possibility that you have an anger problem.
Read a book about anger, such as, The Anger Habit Workbook: Proven Principals to Calm the Stormy Mind, by Carl Semmelroth, PhD. (Writer’s Club Press, 2002).

Learn to talk about your frustrations to others, instead of venting your anger towards them.

Avoid stressful environments. Take back roads whenever possible, turn off the news, see movies that don’t contain excessive violence, avoid people that stress you out.

Students and staff are welcome to make an appointment at the Career Planning and Counseling Center to learn how to handle anger better and learn problem-solving skills to reduce angry feelings.