Understanding Anger: The Connection Between Emotion and Health
Written on
Chapter 1: The Role of Anger in Emotional Health
The inspiration to explore a series on emotions arose from a conversation with a colleague in psychology. My interest in this subject deepened due to its significance in treating clients who present both physical ailments and emotional challenges.
I evaluate all symptoms and physical responses across the emotional spectrum that my clients and I experience together. Analyzing unresolved emotional conflicts creates a pathway for new insights. As awareness grows, fresh neural connections form, leading to transformative experiences that yield positive outcomes.
To illustrate, we can reflect on rabies, a severe illness triggered by a specific virus. Despite significant advancements in medicine over the last century, fatalities from this disease still occur.
Interestingly, the term "anger" has origins linked to the word "devil," suggesting a plunge into a moment filled with profound, aggressive emotions, reminiscent of a mystical or infernal realm. In these moments, individuals often feel as though they are not in control; rather, they are overtaken by their emotions.
When considering anger as an emotional eruption, it is important to note that levels of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and norepinephrine, can diminish. These hormonal spikes often result from prolonged feelings of anger that accumulate over time. If someone has been denied the opportunity to express their anger, it can build up until it eventually erupts, much like a kettle boiling over.
Each person’s capacity for emotional resilience varies, influenced by their experiences, circumstances, and overall physical health. For instance, individuals with certain chronic conditions may exhibit increased aggression.
The same response can be observed in those whose hormonal systems operate at a rapid pace, leading to immediate mental reactions—characteristics often found in choleric individuals or those with ADHD.
Now, envision someone who reacts intensely to a seemingly trivial event or action. This reaction may stem from a lifetime of societal norms that discourage such expressions of anger.
What happens to this bottled-up motivation? It’s likely that individuals carry the weight of repressed emotions, akin to storing reserves for a long winter. As stress levels rise or if the nervous system is particularly sensitive, these reserves of anger can intensify, potentially resulting in physical ailments.
It’s essential to acknowledge that the connection between suppressed anger and physical health issues is significant, although I will refrain from detailing specific conditions here, as it is a personal matter.
To address these feelings, it is crucial to engage with a qualified professional who can assist in navigating the emotions that are often deemed unacceptable by society. Every emotion serves a purpose and holds value.
Section 1.1: The Science of Anger
Anger can be understood through a biological lens, where the body reacts to emotional stimuli.
Section 1.2: Emotional Resilience and Health
Chapter 2: Managing Anger Effectively
The first video, Rage Brain: Why Acts of Aggression Can Feel So Good, delves into the psychological aspects of anger and aggression, exploring why these emotions can sometimes provide a false sense of gratification.
The second video, Anger vs. Aggression 1080p, distinguishes between anger and aggression, offering insights into how to manage these powerful emotions in a healthy manner.