Anger Signs and Triggers
What are some potential external triggers towards anger?
Being yelled at, getting into a fight, not being listened to, being ignored, being made fun of.
How do you describe assertive anger?
When angry, instead of losing control you are honest about your feelings, remain respectful, and calmly explain what is angering you and how it can be fixed.
What is a consequence of passive aggressive anger?
The problem doesn't get solved but others will lose trust in you due to playing games rather than being honest.
When was a time you were angry and used a coping skill to calm down?
Identify what made you angry and the coping skill you used.
What kind of anger is this?
John has a rough phone call with his mom. After hanging up, staff ask him what wrong. He replies saying everything is fine. Two hours later, Robert bumps into him in the hall and John starts screaming and punching him.
Suppressive. Instead of dealing with his anger right away, John let it grow until he blew up.
What are some potential external signs of being angry?
Balling fists, shaking, clenching teeth, pacing, getting red, sweating.
How do you describe open aggressive anger?
When angry, you scream, throw things, curse, and become physical to show that you are upset.
What is a consequence of open aggressive anger?
Getting in trouble with adults or even the law. Loss of relationships and privileges due to behavior.
What are some coping skills for dealing with anger?
Taking deep breaths, muscle relaxation, going for a walk, exercise, talking to someone you trust, problem solving, using a distraction.
What kind of anger is this?
Liam calls David names during lunch. David immediately starts cursing and Liam and throws him to the ground, starting a fight.
Open aggressive. When upset, David explodes into anger and does not think about his actions or behavior.
What are some potential internal triggers towards anger?
Being frustrated, feeling guilty, feeling lonely, feeling rejected or unloved, feeling hurt or sad, upsetting thoughts.
How do you describe suppressive anger?
When angry, you pretend that everything fine and act like you aren't mad, even when you really are.
What is a consequence of suppressive anger?
The angry feelings don't go away, they build up over time until you explode, causing anxiety, stress, and depression until then.
What are some things you can do if your coping skills aren't working?
Reset your nervous system - Put something cold on your face, eat something sour, move your body.
What kind of anger is this?
Jim is in family therapy with his father. His father kept talking over Jim, not letting him finish his sentence. Jim told his father that he was upsetting him by not letting him talk and that he needed to let him speak in order for them to continue in the session.
Assertive. Though Jim was angry with his father, he still respectfully told him what was upsetting him and how his father could handle it.
What are some potential internal signs of being angry?
Heart racing, blood pumping faster, feeling hot, dry mouth, body tensing, not wanting to eat.
How do you describe passive aggressive anger?
When angry, instead of telling the other person what is upsetting you, you take it out on them in small ways, such as making them upset on purpose as well.
What do you think are some consequences of anger?
Loss of relationships, loss of trust, getting in trouble, being placed in a SIPP.
What are some effective ways to release anger?
Punching something safe, screaming, pacing.
What kind of anger is this?
Will was upset about a fight he got into earlier. When his therapist tried to talk to him about it, he refused to talk to her, saying "it's not like you really care anyway."
Passive aggressive. Will is clearly upset, but instead of talking to his therapist, he is being snarky.
When was a time that something triggered you to anger? What were the signs?
Identify a trigger and at least two signs.
What kind of anger is most productive? Why?
Assertive. By calming explaining why you are angry, the problem is most likely to be solved.
What is a consequence from a time you were angry? What kind of anger was it and what was the outcome?
Identify type of anger and at least two consequences.
What is a time you acted out of anger and what coping skill could you have used instead?
Identify a time and a potential coping skill.
What kind of anger is this?
Kyle and Grant are playing basketball when Kyle shoves Grant out of the way. Grant made a face, but the game ends and all seems fine. Later Kyle asks Grant if he wants to play football. Grants says no and that Kyle is loser who can't play sports.
Passive aggressive. Kyle upset Grant earlier in the day and instead of dealing with it then, Grant decides to be rude later on out of anger.