Cognitive behavioral therapy for anger management.

Abstract

Kassinove & Tafrate, 2002). Although triggers (i.e., cues) for anger vary across individuals and cultures, Ekman (2007) hypothesized that a universal trigger for anger is frustration (i.e., being blocked from a goal), especially when physical (e.g., when having restricted movement).There is disagreement on whether all emotions would be best conceptualized using a basic emotion (i.e., qualitatively separate, distinct) or a dimensional (i.e., conceptualized by where they appear on the same continuum(s) such as arousal and valence) approach (DeHouver & Herman, 2010). For example, evidence in favor of conceptualizing anger as a basic emotion includes its distinct neural signature (Panksepp, 1998) and facial expressions (e.g., gritted teeth, furrowed eyebrows; Ekman, 2007). In contrast, Russell (2003) conceptualized anger using a dimensional approach as an emotion with high arousal and low valence (i.e., negative). Interestingly, anger is the only negative (i.e., low valence) emotion to have approach tendencies (e.g., depression and anxiety lead to withdrawal or avoidance; Schneirla, 1959).Anger helps us survive. It is responsible for the fight in fight-or-flight. If we feel threatened, our anger primes us to fight back by tensing us up, focusing our attention on the offending target, and boosting our adrenaline. In turn, we are more likely to challenge and get rid of or weaken the offender, whatever or whomever the trigger might be. This response to attack was especially helpful when humans were in survival-dependent competition for resources such as food, shelter, and sexual partners. In modern times, however, acting on our anger and fighting someone for their lunch would be considered inappropriate, illegal, and dysfunctional. Further, anger becomes a problem when its frequency, intensity, and duration of occurrence affects functioning (i.e., is unhelpful and impractical). When this occurs, anger management is recommended.The term anger is often used mistakenly to describe other constructs. This creates confusion among scholars and lay people and creates inaccuracies in the diagnosis, research, and treatment of anger. Below are some independent concepts that are often used interchangeably with anger. The following explanations are not meant to serve as complete definitions of each construct but to highlight the aspects of each that differentiate the construct from anger. For example, whereas anger is considered an emotion, aggression refers to a physical, motor behavior; frustration refers to being blocked from achieving a goal; hatred refers to a cognitive dislike; hostility refers to a pervasive attitude of distrust; and irritability refers to a physiologically driven lowered threshold for anger. These concepts are further distinguished in DiGiuseppe and Tafrate (2007).Although anger is a symptom of 10 disorders, there is currently no anger disorder in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). For other emotional disorders (e.g...

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Problematic Anger: A Case Study

“…Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely regarded as a moderately effective intervention approach for problem anger (Lee & DiGiuseppe, 2018). However, CBT for problematic anger has been met with some criticisms including high dropout rates (Berta & Zarling, 2019) and lack of data on efficacy in heterogeneous populations (Chesworth, 2018; Donahue et al, 2017; Toohey, 2021), especially among low-income and minority individuals (Saavedra, 2007). Though discussions of CBT for anger highlight the need for more work addressing mechanisms of change (Toohey, 2021), other research suggests that reductions in anger symptoms are mediated by increases in calming skills, but not cognitive or behavioral skills, after a course of group CBT (Mackintosh et al, 2014).…”

“…However, CBT for problematic anger has been met with some criticisms including high dropout rates (Berta & Zarling, 2019) and lack of data on efficacy in heterogeneous populations (Chesworth, 2018; Donahue et al, 2017; Toohey, 2021), especially among low-income and minority individuals (Saavedra, 2007). Though discussions of CBT for anger highlight the need for more work addressing mechanisms of change (Toohey, 2021), other research suggests that reductions in anger symptoms are mediated by increases in calming skills, but not cognitive or behavioral skills, after a course of group CBT (Mackintosh et al, 2014). Further, CBT for problematic anger conceptualizes anger itself as the problem and does not address transdiagnostic processes maintaining anger or other comorbid conditions (e.g., depression).…”

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The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Courses in Improving the Emergency Medicine Residents and Interns’ Ability to Regulate their Emotions in Threatening or Stressful Events

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