Anger is a negative emotion. It carries the mind away or in other words, the person looses control on behavioural functions during the state of anger. The major source of anger is the frustration of motives. However, anger is not a reflex, rather it is a result of our thinking. Neither is it automatic nor uncontrollable and caused by others but it is a self-induced choice that the individual makes. Anger is a result of your thinking and hence is controllable by your own thoughts only. Certain key points in anger management are as follows:

• Recognise the power of your thoughts.

• Realise you alone can control it.

• Do not engage in ‘self-talk that burns’. Do not magnify negative feelings. Do not ascribe intentions and ulterior motives to others.

• Resist having irrational beliefs about people and events.

• Try to find constructive ways of expressing your anger. Have control on the degree and duration of anger that you choose to express.

• Look inward not outward for anger control.

• Give yourself time to change. It takes time and effort to change a habit.