Suppressing anger can lead to both short-term and long-term consequences. Suppressed, unexpressed anger can be an underlying cause of anxiety and depression. Anger that is not appropriately expressed can disrupt relationships, affect thinking and behavior patterns, and create a variety of physical problems. Chronic (long-term) anger has been linked to health issues such as high blood pressure, heart problems, and digestive problems. In addition, poorly managed anger can be linked to problems such as alcohol and substance abuse, crime, emotional and physical abuse, and other violent behavior.
The goal of Anger Management is to reduce both your emotional feelings and the physiological arousal that anger causes. You can’t get rid of or avoid the things or the people that enrage you, nor can you change them, but you can learn to control your reactions. Anger management aids in the use of relaxation, calming skills, and cognitive strategies to identify triggers, control reactions, and behave in a socially acceptable manner.