Anger management?

Question

I am 17 years old and seem to have anger management issues. I am not a very emotional person, but when I get angry I blow up. However, this only seems to happen around my family. I play sports and am a strait A student and normally get along with everyone. Would I benefit from anger managment classes? What are some other strategies for controlling my anger?

it's normally my younger siblings that set me off. they think it's incredibly funny to intentionally annoy me and watch me get worked up. i have tried talking to my parents but they just say to igore it.

Answer 1

Ashley,

From your other social experience it sounds like you know how to control your anger.

With your family you just don't know how to see it coming. When you start to get that annoyed feeling, that's the warning bell. I notice my legs get restless, I feel the muscles in my neck or jaw tightening, or I feel I have to go to the bathroom. For you the signs may differ.

For you, according to your description, expect your family to make you angry and be prepared in advance. Try to anticipate which person will set off which feelings in you. One may make you mad because you feel insecure or because you feel like you don't measure up to them, or you feel you don't measure up in their eyes. Another may make you feel threatened because you react to them with withdrawal. Sometimes it's the same old argument. If this happens, you can prepare some of these techniques ahead of time.

Humor can be an extremely effective foil against aggravation. Having a good comeback only works if it doesn't spark another fight. One good way is to just excuse yourself and take a minute out somewhere else. Tell yourself, "It's just the same old thing. I've been here before and it's not as serious as I make it out to be." You can compose several things you can say to yourself and write them down and memorize them. It will take some analysis and soul searching, but it will be worth it. Good Luck and keep up the good work.

Calico.Kitty

Answer 2

Yea you'd benefit from classes. Maybe your just annoyed from your family since you are always around them. Try not getting worked up over everything, maybe stress from sports and school have a profound effect on you so by the time you get home you had enough.