Many people who have experienced neglect, abuse, disaster, or other traumas carry anger afterward. The effects of trauma last long after the event and can weigh deeply on survivors, causing many to lash out in anger in the aftermath. This is a very natural response, but for those living with PTSD, that anger can be embedded deeply and can arise unexpectedly. Anger and trauma can put yourself or your loved ones at risk, strain relationships, and make daily life difficult to control. If you find that anger over past trauma harms your everyday life, a trauma therapy program can help.
Working through trauma is difficult and can take a long time. But through a trauma therapy program, you can learn to understand your anger and trauma and build healthy coping mechanisms to deal with them in your daily life. At Atlanta Center for Mental Health, you will find a supportive environment to process trauma and anger through a wide variety of treatment methods. To learn more about how a trauma therapy program can help you, call 833.625.0458.
The Effects of Trauma and Anger
Though anger over a traumatic event is an understandable and natural reaction, over time, anger can put a strain on interpersonal relationships and even endanger your health. For those around you, spending time with an angry person can be draining and contentious. Some people may even end their relationships with a loved one due to anger from trauma. Conversely, this can also result in those struggling with anger feeling alienated and ashamed, making it even harder to seek treatment.
Those dealing with the effects of anger and trauma may notice a number of detrimental effects, including:
- Relationship strain
- Feelings of isolation
- Getting in physical or verbal altercations
- Increased risk-taking behaviors
- Coping with drug or alcohol use
- Physical effects, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
Dealing With Anger and Trauma
An essential part of healing is learning to deal with anger and trauma in healthy ways. Though anger can be challenging to manage, you can begin to work through your trauma and manage your triggers by acknowledging and understanding your anger. There are several key practices that you can use to help manage and address your anger, including:
- Relaxation techniques – Relaxation likely will not come easily for those who have experienced trauma. However, through practice and attentive care, relaxation techniques can help calm the instinctive reactions that lead to anger. Such practices can include meditation, deep breathing, and yoga. These practices help you become more aware of your feelings and calm yourself at the moment.
- Social Support – Social support systems can provide both an understanding ear and a voice of support when you’re struggling with anger. Venting to a trusted friend or family member can allow you to process your anger and express it without judgment. For this reason, support groups are highly recommended for those dealing with trauma.
- Changing your surroundings – Sometimes, it can simply help to take a timeout to cool down when you find yourself getting angry. Excusing yourself from a situation and giving yourself time to think before reacting will disrupt the thought processes that lead to harmful reactions. Doing so will also allow you the time to think clearly about an issue.
- Healthy habits – A proper diet and sleep schedule can significantly improve your ability to regulate and process emotions. Physical activity can also offer a healthy outlet for the frustrations that come with anger, allowing you to release pent-up emotions in a positive setting.
- Therapy – Therapy offers a healthy outlet and compassionate ear for anger while also providing evidence-based approaches to treating trauma at the root cause. In therapy, you will learn to use the other healthy coping mechanisms to understand and cope with your anger and trauma.
Call Atlanta Center for Mental Health to Learn More About Dealing With Anger and Trauma
If you or a loved one is dealing with anger as a result of trauma, Atlanta Center for Mental Health can help. In our trauma therapy program, our team of clinical professionals will work with you to find and adopt healthy coping mechanisms, treat the harmful effects of trauma, and learn to understand and process anger. To learn more about how our trauma therapy program can help you, call 833.625.0458 or fill out our online contact form.
