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Re: A CT Approach to Anger Management
Jim Pretzer · 8/4/99 at 10:31 pm ET
While I wouldn't object to any of the interventions that Norman Cotterell proposes, that isn't where I'd start. A high proportion of the individuals who consult me for help with anger management are enmeshed in a cycle where they try to avoid "explosions" by suppressing anger and tolerating aggravations. Unfortunately, they can only maintain this approach for a limited period of time and eventually reach the point of "I've had all that I can take!" and react intensely to a small provocation. Later, when they think about their intense over-reaction and the impact it has had on themselves and others, they conclude "My anger is TERRIBLE. I'd better try even harder not to get angry." This cycle can be strongly self-perpetuating since they lack the perspective to realize that it isn't anger that is terrible, it is their pattern of suppressing anger until they explode that is terrible. If I can help them recognize this dysfunctional cycle, we can then work to identify more adaptive ways of handling anger. The interventions that Norman proposes can all be helpful but I usually spend more time helping clients discover that it usually is a good idea to deal with anger and aggravation before they reach the exploding point. We then work to identify more adaptive alternatives (such as assertion, collaborative problem-solving, a "cooling-off" period, vigorous exercise, etc.) and to put them into practice in real-life. When the angry outbursts occur between members of a couple, I usually want to work with them conjointly (I'm trained in marital and family therapy as well as individual therapy) in order to make it easier to identify and modify any interaction patterns which contribute to the anger. Usually work to improve communication and joint problem-solving is important. It can also be important to work to increase positive interactions rather than only working to decrease negative interactions.
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