(Disclaimer: This article is not written for therapeutic purposes and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or legal intervention).

Anger management is one of the hallmarks of strong Emotional Intelligence or EQ. In Daniel Golemans book Emotional Intelligence, he addresses being able to handle ones anger as a sign of high EQ. We know, from physiology, that within less than seconds of becoming angry our brain and body are flooded with internal chemical changes. When this occurs, we operate from our brain stem. Our brain stem is the most primitive portion of our brain. Its responsible for the fight or flight response and our autonomic nervous system (breathing, heart rate, body temperature etc.). When we are in this mode, we bypass our rational portion of the brain. This spells trouble because the neo-cortex is our thinking, rational portion of our brain.

Im sure youve noticed that when you are really angry, you cant think clearly. Again, the reason for that is that you are not using your logical, rational portion of your brain. It takes a minimum of about 20 minutes for your brain chemicals to go back to normal and to think clearly again.

Its time to take a look at your situation with anger. Answer the following questions. Take an honest look, dont sugar coat how you handle anger. Even if you are not angry often, please read some of the strategies that follow these questions. The strategies can help in all of our relationships.

When was the last time you were really angry? What was the situation that created your feelings of anger?

How frequently do you feel angry?

Do you have a short or long fuse?

Do you frequently become verbally abusive when youre angry? Do you call the person demeaning names, cuss at them, call them stupid, fat, lazy or use racial slurs?

Have you ever become violent when youre angry? Just once is still too often. Violence includes: slapping, hitting, throwing things, hurting animals, punching walls or destroying property. List any violent acts youve done and who they were against.

Are people afraid of you when youre angry?

Do you need to learn to express your anger in more productive ways?

Do you need to control your anger? Is anger/rage destroying your relationships?

WARNING SIGNS THAT SIGNAL YOUR NEED FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP:

There are warning signs that your rage is getting out of hand and you need professional help. If you are violent, verbally abusive and anger is destroying your relationships it will take some massive action on your part to stop this cycle. You need to call your local counseling center or social service agency and ask to participate in Anger Management sessions. It is NOT ok to continue this way. The price others have paid to be around you is far too high. The price you will pay, if you insist on continuing will be high also. Stop reading this now. Go to your phone with your phone book, look in the yellow pages under Counseling and call now. You can look for counseling centers that are United Way funded or connected with your local university. These centers offer free or low cost counseling. You can also contact your childs school counselor and they will be able to give you local resources. Continue to call until you reach a service that will help you. No excuses. Just do it.

NORMAL ANGER: HOW TO MANAGE ANGER, IMPROVE YOUR EQ AND NURTURE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

Most people can use several more strategies in how to handle their anger. Even if you are not frequently an angry person these steps can be helpful in deepening your relationships. If you are an angry person, then these tools will be essential to help you with handling your anger more productively. (Again, if you have been violent you will need to work with a counselor or psychologist to develop long lasting strategies).

1. Stop arguing. When you continue to argue, you DONT LISTEN and it just feeds the anger cycle.

2. Set some good fight rules.

NEVER say something that you know will hurt that person or relationship for a lifetime. Its cruel and unnecessary and you know it. The person can forgive you, but they wont likely forget or trust you.

Have a signal for pause. A simple phrase like, Im just too angry and upset to talk right now. This is important, so lets get back together and talk in a few minutes when were both more calm.

Make it ok to separate and cool down. Men more than women will leave the scene when theres extreme anger. I know this frustrates women. However, men leave because they have a sense that anger is overtaking them and they fear they will harm the woman or children they love. Do not take this personally; its a good thing. They can come back when they have calmed down.

3. Learn excellent communication skills. Every community has adult learning, continuing education and excellent workshops on communication. Make a commitment to attend one of these trainings within the next 3 months. This training will enrich your life and make all your relationships easier including work, children and home. One simple strategy I can give you now is: Dont blame the other person for your reaction. A simple phrase of I feel______________, when you_____________. In the future I would like or I expect_________________. This simple communication tools gets you to the heart of anger, which almost always is hurt. It is assertive, helps get your needs met, yet does not attack or provoke the listener.

4. Do NOT mentally rehearse the anger situation over and over again. When you picture the situation and possible ugly comebacks you only prolong your anger. Its a form of self-abuse and justifies and even uglier reaction to that person the next time you see them. Mentally rehearse an easy flow of conversation. Feel what it would be like to REALLY understand and be understood by that person. Positive mental rehearsal will help get you back into your rational brain.