Posted by Dinah on March 21, 2009, at 12:14:09
In reply to How do you process anger?, posted by garnet71 on March 21, 2009, at 11:55:28
I don't much like extreme anger, it makes my head hurt. But with intense emotions in general I've always found the best way to process them is to accept them, and acknowledge them. To experience them as fully as possible, without letting them guide my choices unduly.
If something can be done about the cause of the anger, the anger can be channeled to do just that. Or to help others avoid the same situation. But if there really is nothing to be done, accepting and experiencing it?
And of course self awareness so that in future when you realize that your reaction to current events is partly a reaction to things that came long ago, you can sort those things out and react to what's actually going on now.
I'm likely missing something. It's not that I was taught to suppress anger. Quite the contrary. My parents expressed their anger openly and preferred that I did so as well. But it really makes my head hurt and I find it extremely uncomfortable. So I try not to dwell on it after I accept it.
poster:Dinah
thread:886382
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090227/msgs/886388.html