Triggers
True or False: Stress can make it harder to manage anger.
What is True?
This involves inhaling slowly and exhaling slowly to calm the body.
What is deep breathing?
“I feel frustrated when plans change suddenly” is an example of this kind of statement.
What is an “I feel” statement?
This increases physiologically in the body when anger is present.
What is heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, breathing.
True or False: Feeling angry automatically means someone behaved badly.
What is False?
Name one HALT factor that can make anger worse.
What is being Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired?
Taking a short break from conflict to cool down is called this.
What is a timeout?
True or False: Interrupting someone usually improves communication during conflict.
What is False?
True or False: Anger is a normal human emotion.
What is True?
This involves recognizing warning signs before anger becomes explosive.
What is self-awareness?
What is something called that increases feelings of anger or frustration?
What is a trigger?
Name one healthy physical activity that can help release anger.
Walking, running, boxing, stretching, yoga, dancing, lifting weights.
Name one nonverbal sign that someone may be angry.
Clenched fists, raised voice, tense muscles, glaring, pacing, crossed arms.
This stress hormone can rise when someone feels threatened or overwhelmed.
What is cortisol?
Name one physical warning sign that anger is building.
What is tight chest, clenched jaw, sweating, shaking, headache, muscle tension.
This occurs when someone assumes another person had bad intentions without evidence.
What is jumping to conclusions?
This DBT skill encourages staying present instead of reacting impulsively.
What is mindfulness?
This communication habit often escalates conflict because it attacks the other person.
What is criticizing, yelling, name-calling, or blaming?
This part of the brain helps with decision-making and impulse control.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
This coping strategy involves changing unhelpful thoughts into more balanced ones.
What is reframing or cognitive restructuring?
Name two situations that commonly trigger anger.
What is criticism, feeling ignored, traffic, conflict, disrespect, disappointment, feeling misunderstood, unfair treatment.
Instead of yelling or suppressing emotions, this communication style expresses feelings respectfully and directly.
What is assertive communication?
This skill involves fully paying attention while another person speaks.
What is active listening?
This brain structure helps detect threats and can activate the fight-or-flight response.
What is the amygdala?
This long-term skill involves responding thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.
What is emotional regulation?