Picking fights....
Dec. 3rd, 2001 09:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
novapsycheLetting the Anger Seep Out
...If I'm not mistaken, it appears that the LA Times is not just condoning experiences of deep rage and anger--they're encouraging it. Because it's a natural feeling.
"Contrary to some common depictions, anger is not a state of reckless confusion. In its raw form, it is a sensation of power and clarity that gives us the will and energy to fight for our lives. The body goes on full alert: Levels of 'fight-or-flight' hormones such as adrenaline spike, the heart rate quickens, blood rushes to the muscles."
Okay, thanks for the biology lesson. This is all due to the sympathetic nervous system. The eyes dilate, too, don't forget that.
But is this state of being really conducive to ordinary, everyday living? Most Americans are never put in the position where we need to "fight for our lives". We certainly don't experience such situations on a daily basis.
"How we will act as a result of the anger triggered by Sept. 11 is difficult for mental health researchers to predict, because there's little scientific research to draw on. Anger can be fleeting, and it often is accompanied by a welter of emotions that are nearly impossible to measure: anxiety, fear, grief.
"What experts do know is that hostility often is associated with drug use, binge drinking and some mood disorders, including anxiety."
...And normal people--they don't get hostile. Or, rather, there is nothing known to associate hostility with them. This is the implication of the above statement. Unless you're crazy or messed up, either endogenously or exogenously, then your anger probably isn't much to worry about.
Whatever.
Personally, this year I've let myself experience anger as I never have before. (This phenomenon occurred months before Sept. 11.) In the past, I would start to feel the beginnings of anger, and immediately it was transmuted into depression--that is, anger turned in towards myself. Now, instead of turning it towards my own person, it's remaining on whatever subject or object caused the anger. Unfortunately, this is as undesirable as the first tendency.
From a person who rarely experienced anger for the vast majority of her life, I have to say that it is the most undesirable emotion I've ever felt, and I wish to be rid of it.
...If I'm not mistaken, it appears that the LA Times is not just condoning experiences of deep rage and anger--they're encouraging it. Because it's a natural feeling.
"Contrary to some common depictions, anger is not a state of reckless confusion. In its raw form, it is a sensation of power and clarity that gives us the will and energy to fight for our lives. The body goes on full alert: Levels of 'fight-or-flight' hormones such as adrenaline spike, the heart rate quickens, blood rushes to the muscles."
Okay, thanks for the biology lesson. This is all due to the sympathetic nervous system. The eyes dilate, too, don't forget that.
But is this state of being really conducive to ordinary, everyday living? Most Americans are never put in the position where we need to "fight for our lives". We certainly don't experience such situations on a daily basis.
"How we will act as a result of the anger triggered by Sept. 11 is difficult for mental health researchers to predict, because there's little scientific research to draw on. Anger can be fleeting, and it often is accompanied by a welter of emotions that are nearly impossible to measure: anxiety, fear, grief.
"What experts do know is that hostility often is associated with drug use, binge drinking and some mood disorders, including anxiety."
...And normal people--they don't get hostile. Or, rather, there is nothing known to associate hostility with them. This is the implication of the above statement. Unless you're crazy or messed up, either endogenously or exogenously, then your anger probably isn't much to worry about.
Whatever.
Personally, this year I've let myself experience anger as I never have before. (This phenomenon occurred months before Sept. 11.) In the past, I would start to feel the beginnings of anger, and immediately it was transmuted into depression--that is, anger turned in towards myself. Now, instead of turning it towards my own person, it's remaining on whatever subject or object caused the anger. Unfortunately, this is as undesirable as the first tendency.
From a person who rarely experienced anger for the vast majority of her life, I have to say that it is the most undesirable emotion I've ever felt, and I wish to be rid of it.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
(no subject)
Date: 2001-12-04 12:34 am (UTC)for today's complex social situations, something as visceral as anger is often not the most helpful way to understand what is acually happening.
as do we all...
Date: 2001-12-04 07:30 am (UTC)Only I'm not a Buddhist and I'm not a Christian. I can neither delete them from my person or pretend that they are inherently sinful.
You are only just beginning to learn control after years of denial concerning anger. Controlling one's anger is a tough one. The only advice I could give is not to talk about it. It's the opposite of most advice, but most of the time anger is unjustified. Our talking about it convinces us it that it is justified.
Example - the waiter is late in getting your check. He might be outside having a smoke. he might be trying to wait on 15 other customers. You are in a hurry. You might miss a meeting and that would be bad. When he finally gets the check to you, you have barely enough time to tip him (let's say you always tip high and you don't wreak revenge this time) and run out the door. Now in the car to the meeting you can either grouse about how long the waiter took getting the check to you or forget about it. If you complain about it, it will create a loop and you will be mad at him all over again. If you don't mention it, you will have forgotten about it by the time you get to the meeting (except for maybe a "sorry I'm late. Poor service.")
At least this way you'll save your anger for the situations that require it.
(no subject)
have a nice day?
(no subject)
Date: 2001-12-05 12:50 am (UTC)