Is Anger Addiction A Learned Behavior?

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Anger can become addictive.

Anger addiction is biochemical problem.Like victims of alcohol or substance abuse, the "angerholic" is hostage to a host of body reactions, one of which is an upsurge of adrenalin that generates a sense of invincibility.

According to James C. Tanner,rage addiction produces a "Superman" scenario, in which one feels powerful, galvanized for action.

Anger can bring on a "rush" that feels "so strong and good" that many "want to experience it again and again." Rage releases biochemical and neural changes in the body that can become self-consuming with repetition. Like alcohol, the binge of outrage becomes a necessary evil. Such is the nature of addiction.

How We Rage is a Learned Behavior

According to Psychology Professor Seymour Feshbach, Freud's notion that venting actions can drain anger is incorrect. Venting pent-up emotions by yelling or hitting increases hostility rather than diminish it. In a study on rage,a group of normal boys, with neither violent nor destructive tendencies, were asked to be involved in play aggression. The purpose was to see if such "venting" would have any effect on their behavior. It did. It increased the boys' aggressiveness. In fact,it raised the boys' sense of destructiveness and hostility.

While venting anger does not provide cathartic release, talking with adults about the situation does reduce the child's anger.

Anger addiction is a learned behavior. Being allowed to display aggression lessened the boys' ability to manage their responses. Play aggression indirectly condoned a set of behavior that had previously been considered "off limits."

The "how" of raging is internalized behavior.

Homes that are continuous battlefields incubate the seeds of rage compulsion. As parents, we have the responsibility to be emotionally in control so that we do not expose our children to toxic behavior.

What are the Symptoms of Anger Addiction?

- easy arousal to anger

The child gets angry over trivialities. You accidentally drop his toy and he throws a tantrum. That's because getting angry gives him pleasure. He is excited by the adrenalin rush of rage.

-obsession with past episodes of anger

An "angerholic" child dwells on what happened a few weeks or months ago. He does not forget easily what you did the "other day." In many ways, these memories are self stimulating.

- compulsion to rage

There is a sense in the child that he is compelled to rage. He cannot entertain any other responses except hostility and destructiveness. He is unable to listen to reason. He loses control. Loss of control is a sign of compulsion.

- denial

The child cannot admit that he is wrong. The problem is always with the "other person."

-vindictiveness

The child addicted to anger spends a lot of time and energy harboring resentment and plotting revenge. He seems to derive particular pleasure in micromanaging revenge.

- bullying

Many of these symptoms overlap those of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Bipolar Disorder It is important for parents to seek professional help when several of the indicators above for anger addiction are evident in their child.

What do you do when your child seems to be angry all the time? What if he or she is using anger as a tool to control your responses? What if your child has learned the trick of sabotage?

When your child uses this--Anger as a Weapon: When Your Child“Points the Gun” at You, you can learn how to turn the situation around!

Source:

James C. Tanner. "Anger Addiction and Rageaholism," October 27, 2007.http://anger-addiction.blogspot.com/2007/10/by-james-c-tanner-of-wwwsilent.html

c. Tarvis. "Anger Defused." Psychology Today, November, 1982.

Disclaimer: The above information is meant only to inform and should never displace professional consultation.

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