i) Introduction

Anger management problems can stem from the brain injury itself, as well as from problems with reduced self-control, impulsivity and lowered frustration tolerance. It is important to be able to:

• a) identify potential triggers of anger
• b) identify 'early warning signals’
• c) understand an emotional model of anger
• d) recognise your feelings and
• e) have strategies for managing clients who display anger.

 

ii) Potential triggers of anger following a TBI

Potential triggers of anger following a TBI include the following:

• Lack of Sleep
• Pain/headaches
• Noise sensitivity
• Changed self image
• Feeling angry about accident or injury
• Worries about future/finances
• Coping with change
• Lack of understanding from others (friends/family/medical professionals etc)
• Frustration (personal and/or sexual)
• Feeling out of control when organising daily life due to numerous medical/legal appointments
• Personality clashes/changes to relationships and social activities

 

iii) Early warning signals

As a person becomes angry, changes occur at a physical, emotional and/or cognitive level. If these changes are caught early enough (i.e. before a person loses their temper) then they can be used as an ‘early warning system’.

The following changes are often used as guideposts to alert a person that they are becoming angry.

Physical	Emotional	Cognitive
Muscle tension Temperature change Tremor/shaking Sweating Heart pounding Clenched fists	Irritated Frustrated Moody Unsettled Feeling upset	Changes to thoughts include: Racing Jumbled Irrational Jumping to conclusions

 

 

iv) Principles of anger

To better understand how to manage anger it is useful to understand the principles of anger that include:

• a scale of anger - for example calm (no anger) to aggressive.
• an anger model showing triggers and responses
• recognition that anger can be a secondary feeling

Scale of anger

Anger escalates in intensity if it is not monitored or managed. A calm person can become angry and then aggressive, if triggered.
(18 sec)

Triggers and responses

In thinking about how people with TBI can change from being calm to being angry or aggressive it is useful to think about triggers and responses (both pre-injury and post-injury).

Anger as a secondary feeling

Anger can be a secondary feeling and so it is important to ask the question: was there a primary feeling?

 

v) Recognising your Feelings

Remember that the behaviour is not necessarily directed at you.

Why is the person angry with you?

Proximity

What are you feeling?

It is important to recognise and identify your feelings.

What to do in relation to your feelings?

• Accept your own feelings about the situation
• Talk to family, staff & friends and discuss how you are feeling
• Recognise that you are only human and that you can also be affected by stress, frustration and anger
• Use stress and anger management strategies yourself