Anger: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases

Not surprisingly, the word anger in Latin is “furor”, which means frenzy, passion or madness. Behind it is a violent, even exaggerated impulsive emotion that is often accompanied by strong aggression.

What is anger?

Not surprisingly, the word anger in Latin is “furor”, which means frenzy, passion or madness. Anger is more serious than simple anger or rage and is also not so easy to control. Reasons can be slights, remarks, injustice, suppressed feelings, unexpected events or insecurity, accompanied by the feeling of powerlessness. The sensation of anger is probably familiar to everyone. Nevertheless, different characters react differently to situations, the expression of anger can take on more or less dire consequences, even cause mental problems. In most cases, outbursts of anger destroy more than they cause, because due to the emotionality they can also lead to people becoming unobjective. This, in turn, can quickly damage relationships, whether private or business. As much as it may cause regret afterwards, what is said therefore does not remain unforgotten and leaves scratches that sometimes do not heal. Taking back what was said is then no longer possible. Usually such an attack is expressed in the complete loss of one’s own feelings. This outburst is called affectation and is directed against things, people, institutions and animals. Anger often has a very specific trigger, which, however, does not always have to be identical with the outburst itself. Someone who is angry about something for a long time and acts according to the familiar image that the drop gradually fills the barrel and causes it to overflow, can suddenly fly into a rage at a completely insignificant incident and lose control over himself. Most often, an outburst of anger brings with it the fact that the person is also strongly involved in his own emotionality.

Function and task

Nevertheless, anger can also be helpful and strengthen a person’s character. Whoever learns not to let himself be upset, to bring his anger under control, to apply methods to avoid the tantrum or at least to reduce it, will also find his way back inwardly to a harmonious balance. To dampen the moment of agitation and to hold back anger, to take time to reflect on it, all this has greater chances of finally achieving what is desired. Known means are exercises that help to calm the anger. Counting to ten, leaving the room, taking deep breaths are just some of the ways that can be applied without having to swallow the anger. It remains important that the person on whom the anger is directed also realizes that he or she has triggered anger. Those who get angry frequently can try to record the emotions in writing. In this way, the trigger is better recognized, thoughts clarify, and the event is replayed in a structured way until it dampens the emotion. It is equally helpful to always be aware of what the person at whom the anger is directed is feeling, i.e. to put oneself in their shoes. The actions can then be better understood if they also make sense in relation to oneself. Finally, the alternative remains to sleep on everything for a night. As soon as emotions boil up, retreating is not a bad idea. The next morning brings more calm, the problems are recognized more clearly and can then be addressed more objectively. Nevertheless, anger is also a means to bring about change and to be the impetus for overcoming problems. It forces one to grasp the problems and the need to find solutions. This starts the creative process, so anger also makes productive. Normally, the outburst of anger takes place only in certain situations, which usually make solutions necessary. By showing the anger, a creative solution way can be found to better manage and hopefully change the conditions. Also, the person will learn a lot about themselves in their loss of control, recognizing when anger occurs, what triggers it, and how to control it.

Diseases and ailments

Anger, however, can also become pathological, as the outburst is of such intensity that it results in psychological fluctuations and physical as well as mental problems.Being permanently enraged is a sign of certain clinical pictures that affect the entire psyche. In psychology, the frequent feeling of anger is explained in particular by imitation: Anger arises due to learned behavior, whereby we speak here of a behavioral pattern that is shaped by certain experiences or is also copied from role models. If anger occurs too frequently, the person is called a choleric. Such unrestrained emotions often lead mentally to depression, anxiety, hatred of people or general hostility; physically, in turn, to heart attacks and high blood pressure. Disease patterns of this kind prevent a person from approaching life calmly, from feeling confronted with situations he can handle. In this regard, it is advisable to see a psychologist and get advice.