Do I Need Anger Management Classes?

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the best therapy for anger management? 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, is one of the most popular and effective forms of treatment for various concerns, including anger. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a short-term form of treatment, meaning that you won’t have to attend therapy for long to learn a good number of skills and gain success. Research shows that CBT is helpful for people who struggle with anger. Group therapy and individual counseling can both benefit those who struggle with anger management.

There are various anger management courses and therapy options that can help provide therapy for anger issues. Each person is different, and, as a result, the way each person manages their anger and responds to treatment can vary greatly. 

Therefore, there isn't one singular "best" way to manage your anger. Instead, it's all about working to understand your relationship with your anger better and finding the right anger management programs for you.

The most common type of therapy known to be helpful for anger management training is cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of anger management training focuses on helping you recognize negative or unproductive thoughts and feelings. 

Like those you might learn in an anger management class or therapy, stress management techniques and skills are essential. They can help you identify symptoms of anger when they begin to arise, avoid triggering situations and find alternative methods to express your emotions.

Nowadays, therapy and anger management courses are available both in-person and online. Online anger management classes can be an excellent option for some people. Some may prefer the online anger management classes because they are nervous or embarrassed to speak to a therapist face-to-face. 

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, online anger management classes are becoming more and more common. This means therapists and other professionals are getting more practice delivering online anger management classes. As a result, online anger management training can often be just as effective and beneficial, if not more so, than a traditional in-person class.

Other types of therapy also have proven to be successful in treating anger issues. Family therapy can be a beneficial option if your anger issues manifest towards a partner or family. Working closely with your family and a therapist can help improve stress management and anger management, free of judgment. 

Psychodynamic therapy is another avenue that may be worth pursuing. This approach uses self-reflection to help patients better understand the psychological root of their distress and anger. 

In these types of therapy, completing an anger management assessment, whether in-person or in an online class, can be helpful in better understanding the roots of anger.

What do you do at anger management classes? 

In anger management classes, you learn various skills that can help you to cope with anger. One of the first things you will learn is how to identify what triggers your angry outbursts. Then, you learn how to cope with or distance from these triggers in an appropriate way. For example, if you discover that you have a high-stress life and that it plays into your anger, you will learn how to cope with and reduce stressors in your life. You will also practice healthy emotional expression in anger management classes. You’ll learn to communicate calmly and effectively and build a toolbox that will help you have conversations about your life circumstances and feelings productively. Learning the skills will help you build confidence and make you proud of who you are as a person, so don’t be afraid to help.

How do I stop anger outbursts? 

To stop outbursts of anger, one of the things that you can do is to step aside when you feel yourself getting angry. Say to the other person, “I need some time to process my feelings; I struggle with anger at times, and I am going to take some time to cool off so that we can return to this conversation later.” You may take a walk during this time, talk to a friend, or use coping skills like exercise to let off some steam while you think about revisiting the issue. It’s amazing what time and relaxation can do for our emotions and our judgment. Have you ever heard someone say that they were upset and that they would sleep it off? Time away from an emotional situation can give us added insight and a better grip on things that allow us to address them productively and appropriately, so take it if you can. For situations where you can’t walk away, you must learn to manage anger in the moment, too. Here are three things to do when you’re angry and can’t walk away:

• Maintain a low speaking volume and keep a calm, steady tone.
• Make sure to breathe deeply and steadily as much as possible.
• Refrain from threats, violence, and hostile verbiage.

Even if you don’t feel calm, act calmly. Additionally, if you find a root cause of your anger, it is vital to address it.

What is the root cause of anger? 

The root cause of anger varies from person to person. For some, the root cause of anger might be an underlying mental health condition, or an underlying mental health condition might play a role in a person’s anger. For others, anger may stem primarily from the family patterns they grew up around. For example, if you had a parent who was always yelling and didn’t display healthy emotional expression, you may have picked up on that yourself. That doesn’t mean you have to live with it forever. You can break the cycle in your family and/or in your life with time and effort.

Anger can also stem from fear, emotional pain, or stress. Anger management issues are complex, and they don’t resolve within a day, which is why it is important to really examine where your anger stemmed from personally. Everyone is different, so there may be nuances to your relationship with anger that don’t exist for the person next to you, and it’s essential to really look at what’s going on for you as a unique individual.

Does insurance pay for anger management classes? 

Unfortunately, the answer to this depends on the type of medical insurance that you have. Many insurance plans will cover an anger management class. However, it is best to check with your specific insurance company and plan for exact information. 

If you don't have medical insurance or cover in-person or online anger management classes, one session will typically cost between $80 and $150.

If you have court-ordered anger management training, usually it will be an affordable or free option for you. In many areas, low-priced anger management training programs are available. 

Whatever option you end up choosing, keep in mind that you'll get out what you put in.

Every insurance provider is unique. Often, insurance does cover things like therapy for anger management or mental health conditions that include irritability or anger as a symptom. Check with your insurance provider to see what they cover by calling them or going to their website. Online therapy is an excellent option for those without insurance because it is typically cheaper than traditional in-person therapy in the absence of insurance. Additionally, you can utilize online therapy from the of your own home, which might be helpful when addressing personal issues like anger. Starting the process of finding affordable anger management help can be as simple as making a phone call to your insurance company or searching the internet for anger management services near you.

How many sessions does anger management take? 

The length of anger management classes or therapy depends heavily on the type of treatment you choose, your individual needs, and who you’re working with. Generally, your sessions will occur once a week. However, you may decide to engage in multiple kinds of support for anger management, which can often be the most effective way to go. For example, you might go to anger management group therapy once a week and individual therapy. You may have a month of sessions, a month and a half of sessions, two months of meetings, or more.

How long do anger management courses last? 

Most of the time and anger management classes will last for about an hour a day once a week. Additionally, therapy for anger management generally takes about an hour per session. Court-ordered anger management often lasts anywhere from eight weeks to 24 weeks. All anger management courses will vary, so it is essential to check each unique anger management resource you consider and how long it will last.

Why do I get angry so quickly?

If you generally feel on edge, irritable, or anxious, it may cause you to snap quickly when you feel anger. If this is the case for you, it is vital to realize that you have a baseline state of discomfort that makes you more apt to get angry quickly. If you know this about yourself, you will know that you need time to cool off when you’re upset. You can also use this realization as a prompt to get to the root of the problem. Maybe, in your family, you were never shown how to process emotions as a child. Perhaps, you have an underlying mental health condition such as anxiety or bipolar disorder that sometimes manifests as anger. It doesn’t make you bad or broken if you get angry quickly, but it is important to address and work through. People who find that they get angry quickly can change this with anger therapy or treatment. Self-help books or online resources are also things to explore to learn about anger management. Sudden displays of anger can negatively affect your life if you let them, but if you do get help and work through it, you can lead a happy, healthy life with relationships where everyone involved feels safe, heard, and content.

What are the three types of anger?

There are many types of anger, and there are many circumstances in which a person may become angry, but there are three common ways people categorize anger. The three types of anger are passive, aggressive, and assertive anger. These categorizations of anger have to do with how someone shows their anger or aggression. Assertive anger is generally what people consider healthy anger or healthily displayed anger. If a person is showing assertive anger, they will assert themselves, be direct, and speak about the issue candidly. If someone displays assertive anger, they will not typically react in rage, will not scare anyone else, and will not harm anyone else. Aggressive anger, on the other hand, is often seen as rage. It’s the kind of anger where you “see red,” and it can be dangerous. Aggressive anger may play out through yelling or physical fights. Physically harming someone is never okay, nor is verbal or emotional abuse. If you see yourself engaging in this behavior, it is essential to seek anger management. 

The third type of anger, passive anger, is one that many of us already understand. We’ve all heard the term “passive aggressive.” Passive anger or passive aggression is when someone attempts to avoid their anger or doesn’t directly state it in the way that someone displaying assertive anger would, but instead uses microaggressions, covert ways of putting another down, or bottling it all up and treating someone poorly because they never dealt with the issue. Being passive might seem like the most comfortable option when you’re angry, but it does not generally have a good outcome because it means that you never work through the issue. As a result, strong feelings build up over time, and emotional upheaval may occur. Healthy anger is generally processed and then communicated about once a person has cooled down and can talk about how they’re feeling without getting too riled up.

Does fear turn to anger? 

Yes, fear does turn into anger for some people. As stated above, fear can even be the central root of someone’s troubles with anger. Anger can be an impulsive reaction for some people when they feel afraid. If you have ever heard of the fight, flight, or freeze response, you can probably guess which one anger relates to. When we are scared, we tend to react in a way that registers as instinctive. If you find that your fear manifests as anger, it is possible to work through it and modify the way you process fear. Counseling or anger management can be helpful in this process.

Is anger a sign of stress?

Anger and irritability are known signs of stress. When someone gets overwhelmed, they might become irritable and angry due to the influx of emotion. In the medical field, it’s known that stress can contribute to several psychological and physical health detriments. Anger is also known to have health detriments. Anger affects both you and those around you, so it’s crucial to reach out for professional support if you struggle with chronic stress or anger. You can search for anger management help in your area or work with a mental health counselor or therapist online. Either way, be proud of yourself for reaching out and getting help. 

Do anger management classes work?

An anger management class can be a powerful and effective tool to reduce anger and stress. Part of whether an anger management class will work for you or not, though, tends to come from your own attitude about your ability to grow as an individual.

There are all sorts of reasons an individual might seek out treatment or anger management classes. Some people may take anger management training courses as part of court-ordered anger management classes, while others will proactively choose to attend an anger management class. 

In any case, devoting time and effort to the anger management class will likely reap dividends. Making a deliberate effort to work on the skills you may learn, communicating openly with others about your feelings, and being patient with yourself are great ways to help make your anger management experience easier.

Whether you practice for a year or an hour, anger management techniques can be handy to have under your belt. That doesn't mean it's always easy, though. Some people may feel awkward or embarrassed to attend an anger management class in person. They may feel judged. Even though a therapist should never judge you, it's still understandable to be hesitant about attending anger management courses in person or being vulnerable in front of a stranger.

Luckily, there are now plenty of online anger management classes that are just as effective as in-person classes. An online class can be more financially affordable and more flexible. These online anger management classes provide a great alternative to those that may be hesitant or otherwise struggling to find in-person options.

How do I control my anger outbursts?

Controlling anger outbursts can be very difficult for people who struggle with anger management. In the moment when emotions are running high, it can be tough to step back and approach things rationally. 

Learning mindfulness techniques can be incredibly useful for this specific concern. Things like muscle relaxation, steady breathing, and exercise or fresh air can all be great stopgap techniques for outbursts. 

However, the deeper and more fundamental problem is anger and stress management. To address these issues, many mental health professionals recommend anger management classes or therapy.  An online class offers the same one-on-one interaction but in the comfort of your own home. Some people who take online anger management classes find that they can be more open and honest from their own homes. Rather than feeling awkward, embarrassed, or nervous at a treatment center, online anger management classes offer the option of being comfortable as you work through your challenges and concerns.

Why do I get angry so easily?

If you find yourself getting angry very easily and consistently handling the repercussions of your anger, there's a good chance that you have anger management issues. 

The underlying reason for this anger could be many things, like past trauma such as child abuse or divorce, or simply the buildup of stress. Regardless of the initial impetus for these anger issues, there are ways that you can mitigate the effects of your anger and learn how to use that energy positively. 

Anger is a natural human emotion that isn't inherently bad. It only tends to become a problem when you incorrectly deal with your anger, and it ends up hurting you, your loved ones, or your career/ambitions. 

Luckily, many trained therapists can help you learn how to control your anger and manage your stress. Be sure to look out for local anger management therapists or utilize online resources like those here at ReGain to help you learn how to manage your anger and live a full and happy life. 

Is anger a mental illness?

Anger is simply a normal human emotion that almost everybody experiences regularly. This anger can turn into a problem when an individual doesn't manage it and it ends up negatively affecting their life or others' lives. Excessive anger can be a symptom of an underlying mental illness, in which case seeing a trained medical professional may be the best course of action.

On the other hand, if your anger primarily stems from stress and the inability to properly deal with things that irritate you, attending an anger management course is likely the way to go. 

They aren't too expensive (and if they are, online resources can make anger management skills and techniques free for you), and learning mindfulness techniques and how to manage your anger can benefit you for the rest of your life.