I believe that humans are inherently creative, innovative and adaptive. As our economy moves into what looks like a recession the likelihood that stress, anger and aggression will spike is almost certain. Increasing levels of anger are a cause for serious concern however I want my readers to consider a few ideas regarding this problem. According to George Anderson a key component to anger management is emotional intelligence. I would go further to suggest that anger is a signal that our mind is requiring that we defend or protect something that we hold dear. Protecting the ability to pursue our own happiness would be an example of some thing held dear.

While anger at the supposed cause of this “recession” may be justified in the short term, in the long term it will be useless. Poor anger expression tends to be self serving, lacks creativity and very destructive, however true anger management involves a level of emotional intelligence that looks within and without and sees connections and opportunities to find creative ways to still thrive even as this “recession” progresses.

I am in no way belittling or seeking to over simplify this topic however I want to suggest that as in recessions of the past there is a way out and sustained anger will not be effective in finding this way —awareness of self (skills and abilities), others ( leveraging resources) and existing opportunities will.   

Carlos Todd, LPC, NCC, CAMF

Anger Management/Executive Coaching of Charlotte, North Carolina

The east coast premier provider of anger management services  

www.masteringanger.com

www.masteringanger.org

www.angeronmymind.com