anxiety

Anger Fact Sheet

Many subtle and hidden forms of anger ruin health and relationships, as surely as rage and aggression.

Chronic anger in any form increases risks of:

  • Heart disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Colds, flu, headaches, stomachaches, muscle aches
  • Alcoholism, drug-addiction
  • Compulsive behavior, such as workaholism and sexual acting out
  • Errors in judgment
  • Impulsivity.

Anger reduces:

  • Problem-solving ability
  • Fine motor skills
  • Frustration tolerance
  • Positive passion
  • Physical and sexual attractiveness.

Chronic anger:

  • Makes you a reactaholic 
  • Creates endless power struggles.

The only function of anger is to:

  • Control/neutralize perceived threat
  • Warn-threaten-intimidate
  • Inflict injury on feelings or body.

It’s not for problem-solving or negotiation.

Resentment

Do you often feel that:

  • Things are unfair?
  • You’re not getting the help, consideration, praise, reward, or affection you deserve?
  • Good things happen to people less deserving than you?

Signs of accumulated resentment in love relationships

Either you or your partner is:

  • Irritated by things you used to think were cute – facial expressions, laughter, tone of voice, style of dress
  • Losing interest in most forms of intimacy – talking, touch, hugging, sharing, sex
  • Judgmental about the other’s perspective without being curious to learn more about it
  • Irritated by how the other feels.

Intolerant of differences.

The RED ZONE:

  • Your partner seems bent on irritating you, making you feel bad, or pushing your buttons
  • It feels like you’re sleeping with the enemy.

Anger Quizzes

Anger Junkie Test

Anger Management Quotes

Anger Treatment

See Dr. Stosny’s Blog on Psychology Today.