Anger Managment | ACT on Life Not on Anger

5 Signs of Emotional Abuse

It is estimated that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse at some point during her lifetime, though it is hard to find real data since most domestic abuses are not reported. Abusive behavior is not solely physical abuse, but can also be emotional abuse which is just as dangerous and damaging. Emotional and psychological abuse can be precursors to physical abuse. There are clear signs to look for when a partner is being emotionally or psychologically abusive. One sign is repeated cheating. While it has been proven that relationships can survive affairs, repeated affairs often show a deliberate or even calculated disregard for the other person’s feelings and emotional needs.

5 Signs that you May Have an Anger Problem

Anger itself is not a bad thing, but the behaviors that can result from being angry can be. It isn’t unheard of for a person to not realize that their anger is a problem, while the people around them are well aware of it. This causes relationship problems, not helped by the fact that the person with the anger problem tends to end up getting what they want. This might work in a restaurant setting, where the anger results in better service and the staff’s opinion is not of particular weight to the person with the anger problem, but in a close relationship this behavior can be particularly damaging.

Dealing with a Quick-Tempered Spouse

When spouses erupt in anger, not to be confused with a fight, fly off the handle, and express feelings of upset with anger, it frightens their partner. Whether their partner cowers or leaves, they don’t respond well to anger because it is challenging to deal with anger. Constantly being around a person who is prone to angry outbursts can create an environment of fear for their partner, which can ruin a marriage. This article provides a guideline on how to deal with a spouse who may be subject to such outbursts and create an environment where both parties can feel safe.

Massage: One of My Favorite Stress Management Techniques for Good Reason

Elizabeth Scott has always enjoyed getting massages and also enjoys the idea of them being a part of a stress management plan. In her experience, massage has been an excellent short-term stress management tool, but she has since wondered what the actual benefits of massage are compared to other stress managements practices and whether or not a massage carried long-term stress benefits. Research into some studies published in various journals brought good news. One study showed that a massage lowered a subject’s perceived level of stress, which also resulted in lowered heart rate and even lowered blood pressure. Another study showed that a Thai massage can increase heart rate variability, pain threshold, and body flexibility.

Is Cynicism Ruining Your Life?

Most people have at least one person in their life that can make them cynical. Whoever it is that inspires cynicism in our lives, it is generally someone who routinely disappoints or upsets us in some way. The cynical attitude that develops is part of a defensive mechanism that can be hard to lose once adopted. Unfortunately, a 2009 study of more than 97,000 women showed that cynical women have an increased rate of coronary heart disease, cancer-related deaths, and general mortality, while optimistic women were on the opposite side of the spectrum with decreased levels of death and disease than average.

Bullying and Mental Health: Study Links Anxiety, Hyperactivity in Kids to Bullying

A lot of research has been conducted about the effects of bullying on the mental health of the victim and how the bullying contributes to issues such as anxiety and depression. A new study suggests that the relationship between bullying and mental health extends to the bully as well, showing that kids with mental health disorders are three times more likely to be a bully. The study used data provided by the parents of 64,000 children from the ages of 6 to 17 from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health, and showed that children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD, and depression were six, three, and three times respectively more likely to be bullies.

Why Domestic Violence Occurs and How to Stop It

The latest Mary Kay Truth About Abuse Survey shows that most domestic abuse shelters have been experiencing an increase in women seeking help. According to the survey, 74% of women stayed in their abusive relationships longer than they otherwise would have because of the economy and 58% of abuse shelters have reported that the abuse suffered is worse now than before the economic downturn. The economy seems to be having a pronounced effect on domestic abuse, but the causes are rooted psychologically deeper in both the abusers and the abused. Two dynamics that contribute greatly to domestic abuse are the “critical inner voice” and the “fantasy bond.”

Always Angry?

According to a new survey of two thousand people, British citizens spend an average of three and a half years being angry throughout their lifetime. The time distribution works down to about an hour and nineteen minutes a day of anger and the most common causes of this anger are common frustrations such as bad customer service or poorly automated phone systems. Work, money, and family problems were included in the survey but none of them made even the top ten for sources of anger. Complaining psychology shows that American citizens are similarly affected by minor irritants.

Self-Care: An Antidote to Stress

If a person neglects themselves to meet the needs of others too frequently, it can have a negative effect on their physical, emotional, and mental health, with symptoms such as stress, irritability, and exhaustion. This can also lead to feelings of anger or resentment towards those whose needs are being given higher priority. All of these things are signs of a life out of balance, and a good way to get things back on track is to simply put more emphasis on self-care. A person who attends to their own needs is more likely to have the energy to help others.

5 People You Should Stop Resenting

The word “resentment” comes from a Latin word, “sentire,” which means, “to feel.” The prefix “re-“ means “again.” Resentment, then, can mean “to feel again,” which accurately describes the way people relive their feelings of anger and frustration when they resent somebody. Reliving these negative feelings can weigh a person down with negativity, however, and prevent them from enjoying emotions such as gratitude, happiness, or fulfillment. In order to let go of resentments, it is important to identify the targets of the resentment, which can stem from grievances either real or imagined. There are five common people most people resent, sometimes without even realizing it.

Why the American Happiness Formula is Making Our Kids Depressed

The American Happiness Formula is a simple equation. Look Good + Perform Well + Get Approval = Happiness. Author Jonathan Hewitt, high school state wrestling champion, former model, and Wall Street intern knew the happiness formula well and followed it for a large portion of his life without ever realizing that ultimate goal of actual happiness. He wasn’t the only one. Studies show that children today are more depressed than children were during either the Great Depression or World War II. Psychology professor Jean Twenge, from San Diego University, has performed research that shows a child’s anxiety level is more greatly affected by the time period they were born in than family environment.

How to Avoid Blowing Up at Your Spouse

Although most people would never “blow up” at just anyone, spouses can sometimes receive the brunt force of pent up frustration and anger. These outbursts can take a serious toll on a relationship and lead to marriage problems. There are several preemptive things a person can do to avoid the bad habit of venting anger on the people closest to them. Talking about problems as they arise helps to clear any feelings of anger or resentment so they don’t build up. Actively checking feelings periodically can identify a possible build up of resentment before it reaches a breaking point.

Dr. Hart