Can anger be addictive?
After working with individuals in the field for over two decades, I would definitely have to say yes! In my recent book “What’s Your Anger Type?”, I address many types of anger, in fact, some of the most common types of anger are technologically-based, with their displacement coming out in texting, online social media and even Internet dating. Yes, you heard me right—Anger has gone techno, and has evolved with the millennials!
If you follow Facebook, Twitter and other news feeds, you see ‘anger’ continually making the headlines in the forms of terrorism (domestic, international and technological—Internet), domestic abuse (attacks on law enforcement), political raging/violent demonstrations, and of course bullying. Has America really become that ‘angry’? If so, why?
I have found many people engaging in conflict or getting angry way too often are bored, easily frustrated and sometimes depressed.
I have found that some people use their anger as a catharsis (a release), while others even become addicted to it. Let’s face it, for some, anger makes them turn green like The Hulk (not green with envy), and this gives them a sense of invincibility. They use their anger to ‘get even’, displace frustrations on others, or as a form of ‘masking’—to avoid dealing with their underlying ‘unhappy’ issues, and even mental health issues. Some people use their anger as a source of excitement and power. Just as drugs provide someone with excitement and power, anger can become the same kind of stimulant.
There are so many different types of anger and similar reasons why people develop them. There are also many different types of addictions and similar reasons why people become addicted to substances. There is an underlying basic root or component which manifests something as addictive and why the addiction is maintained.That root is low self-esteem. To some degree, we all go through bouts of doubt in ourselves and low self-esteem. Most of us find ways to adapt and modify our self-concept so we can feel good again. There are some people whose self-concept is so low they become depressed and stay in that mood/mindset. Some experts would assert that depression is actually anger turned inward.Interestingly, so many people are addicted to online social media and texting. When someone has this addiction plus an anger addiction, this can be a disaster for some! When people go online to vent or project their anger, the results are not good for everyone involved.
Those who display their depression outward and become aggressive may actually be masking their depression with anger.
Anger becomes a coping mechanism. Just as some people use drugs and alcohol to cope, some people use anger. This becomes their vice! There are two important things to remember about anger; every single person gets angry at some point, as it is a normal and healthy emotion, and you are not insane when you get angry. It is how you deal with your anger which is the most important factor.
So, next time you feel like sending out that ‘nasty, angry’ text message, or posting something on Facebook to ‘get even’, let your cooler head prevail. Get up and go for a walk, or do something cathartic that is not anger-based. Remember, once something goes viral, you can’t take it back!
Read more posts by JenningsWire Blogger Peter Sacco, an international lecturer on psychology/self-help related topics.
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