We learn to interact with others as kids based on how our family members interact with each other and us.
Unfortunately, once these communication patterns become established in our young minds, it’s hard to change them as adults.
For many, this means that angry outbursts or aggressive behaviours experienced in childhood can appear in our adult relationships
But, unfortunately, we may not be conscious of the effect they can have on our loved ones.
Did I Grow Up Around Anger Issues?
It is never easy to think that you or someone in your immediate family has had issues dealing with anger.
But if we can accept it, it is then possible to find help and begin to heal from this pain and learn more respectful ways to communicate.
Anger is always a surface emotion to more complex emotions such as fear or sadness.
- Below are some things to look out for or to become aware of:
- Getting overtly angry at a mild or insignificant frustration or irritant.
- Feelings of shame and guilt over something said or done in the heat of the moment
- Significant ramifications because of an angry outburst. These can include legal issues, physical altercations
- or break-down in significant relationships.
- Others commenting on outbursts they have witnessed or been on the receiving end.
- Physical and mental health issues such as hypertension, reoccurring anxiety and depression, sleep issues, gastrointestinal difficulties, to name a few
Getting Help
Psychotherapists can help you identify behavioural patterns that have been passed from one generation to the next.
Once these patterns are talked about in a new way, it is then possible to deeply explore the good reasons these behaviour patterns have shown up.
Talking to a trained professional can open the door to understanding the depth of emotion and hurt underneath the anger.
If you are interested in getting support, please reach out to me. I’d be more than happy to discuss working with me. I am seeing my clients in my office in Hove and globally online.
