Anger

Anger: “A strong feeling of displeasure or hostility toward someone or something that affects us negatively and may cause intense and sometimes violent reactions.”

Simply reading the dictionary definition of anger is enough to understand why we tend to dislike this emotion. Its expression categorizes us as immature, weak, or even unethical at times. However, anger is a natural reaction of our body to threat or injustice, and what often leads to its misunderstanding is the way it is expressed.

Acknowledging, de-stigmatizing, and properly managing our anger is one of the first and most crucial steps in a psychotherapeutic process. If we feel anger, we cannot help but express it in some way… things get complicated, and anger is rightly criticized when it is directed at someone other than the one who caused it, when instead of acknowledging it, we become sarcastic and emotionally abusive, or when we hold on to it and turn it inward, causing ourselves various psychosomatic problems or even depression. Recognizing, releasing guilt about, and properly managing our anger are among the first and most crucial steps in a psychotherapeutic process, as anger is one of the first emotions we were taught growing up does not suit “good children”… except that “good children” must above all be honest—with others and with themselves!