Anger is expressed in one of four ways. Three out of the four types are unhealthy manifestations: aggressive, passive-aggressive and suppressive. While only one, assertive is healthy. Most people remain consistently in one or two categories depending on the circumstances.
Some people respond to anger through aggressive action — punching, kicking, or breaking things, or, worse, hurting other people. The use of hurtful words as a response to anger is also unhealthy and often destructive aggression. Criticism and finding fault in others are other unhealthy ways of responding to anger.
There are three types of anger which help shape how we react in a situation that makes us angry. These are: Passive Aggression, Open Aggression, and Assertive Anger. If you are angry, the best approach is Assertive Anger. Big words, but check out what each type really means.
Destructive anger can be described as a beefed-up version of behavioral anger. It's an extremely dangerous type because, in addition to being potentially violent, destructive anger expresses itself as intense hatred, even in cases where it may not be warranted.
Some internal factors can include mental instability, depression, or alcoholism. While external factors can include situations that cause stress or anxiety, financial or professional issues, or family and relationship problems.
Yelling, put-downs, and hitting are examples of aggressive anger. Passive anger: A person internalizes the expression of anger when he or she avoids dealing with the situation that contributed to feelings of anger.
Nonverbally: You'll notice some slight physical changes in a person who expresses their anger nonverbally. They might frown or scowl and clench their jaws and fist. They might also lash out at another person or object, sometimes causing physical damage to the person or object and in some cases even hurting themselves.
These cues serve as warning signs that you have become angry and that your anger is escalating. Cues can be broken down into four cue categories: physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive (or thought) cues.
Anger: fury, outrage, wrath, irritability, hostility, resentment and violence.
Physical: Increased heart rate, tightness in chest, rapid breathing, tenseness in muscles, feeling hot or flushed. Behavioural: Pacing, clenching fists, grinding teeth, raising voice, glaring. Emotional: Fear, hurt, jealousy, guilt, impatience.
It is a valid emotion that everyone encounters. Whether or not your anger is healthy essentially comes down to how it is channeled and how you act upon it. Anger is considered unhealthy when: Anger is unhealthy when it hurts others – Acting out of anger in ways that hurt those around you is very unhealthy.
You can express anger in healthy ways by firmly communicating your boundaries. It may be helpful to be mad about how things have been, but anger becomes unhealthy when mixed with aggression, put-downs, or threatening behavior.
There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot.
One expression, “anger” could be described as clenched fists, furrowed brows, tense jaws and lips, the showing of teeth, and flared nostrils, and the other “sadness” could be described as downward turned mouths, tears, drooping eyes, and wrinkled foreheads.
Some common synonyms of anger are fury, indignation, ire, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.
Type 2: Behavioural anger
Behavioural aggression is a choice to react physically toward the feeling of anger. This form of anger expression is physical and often aggressive, or at the very extreme end of the spectrum, violent.
A person may express explosive verbal and physical outbursts through berating someone, slapping, pushing, heated arguments, physical fights, damage to properties, and assault to animals or people. So, it's crucial to learn how to calm down or manage your anger.
Silent anger is a non-verbal, internal way of experiencing anger. Although you may not verbally express it, it is possible for others to read that you are angry.
But, it may be surprising to learn that there are 5 styles – Aggressive, Passive, Passive-Aggressive, Assertive, and Projective-Aggressive styles. A person using the Aggressive style of anger often feels the need to be in control of themselves, other people, and situations.
Healthy anger is expressed with little or no vindictiveness. It is not about being vengeful, having power or hurting another (verbally or physically). It is communicated clearly and effectively and you don't stay preoccupied with it long after the event.