Peter Andrew Sacco - What’s Your Anger Type? Master Your Emotions & Quell Your Inner Fire

Whats Your Anger Type?

Revised Edition

with

Technological Rage:
Millennial Anger

Peter Andrew Sacco PH.D.

Copyright 2016 Peter Sacco

ISBN: 978-1-63491-161-0 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-0-9943329-2-9 (ebk)

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

This ebook published 2016 by DoctorZed.com

Print book published by BookLocker.com, Inc.
2016

Second Edition

Edited by Thomas L. Law III & Wanda Tyler

Peter Sacco asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

Disclaimer

This book details the author's personal experiences with and opinions about anger management. The author is not a licensed psychologist.

The author and publisher are providing this book and its contents on an as is basis and make no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this book or its contents. The author and publisher disclaim all such representations and warranties, including for example warranties of merchantability and psychological advice for a particular purpose. In addition, the author and publisher do not represent or warrant that the information accessible via this book is accurate, complete or current.

The statements made about products and services have not been evaluated by the U.S. government. Please consult with your own legal or accounting professional regarding the suggestions and recommendations made in this book.

Except as specifically stated in this book, neither the author or publisher, nor any authors, contributors, or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this book. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory; direct, indirect or consequential damages; loss of data, income or profit; loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties.

You understand that this book is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed medical, legal or accounting professional. Before you begin any change your lifestyle in any way, you will consult a licensed professional to ensure that you are doing whats best for your situation.

This book provides content related to anger management topics. As such, use of this book implies your acceptance of this disclaimer.

About the Author

Dr. Peter Sacco has been working with individuals in private practice and support groups for over a decade. He specializes in anger-management classes, workshops/seminars, individual coaching and counseling.

As a professor, he teaches at universities and colleges in the United States and Canada. He teaches courses in addiction studies, police studies, criminal psychology, and education.

Peter also produces television shows and hosts Canada's most popular radio show on mental health MATTERS OF THE MIND. He is an award-winning executive producer.

To learn more about Peter and his work, or to book him for a speaking engagement, please visit his website:

www.petersacco.com

Other Titles by Peter Sacco

Fast Food Dating Your 2 Cents
Why Women Want What They Cant Have
Penis Envy
Breast Envy
The Internet Apocalypse

Acknowledgements

Thank you to all of the individuals who I have spoken with over the 'decades' who have shared their insights and ideas about anger. Thank you to the news talk radio and television shows who have entrusted me to come on their shows and share my knowledge and wisdom over the last 20 years!

Contents

FORWARD

I believe the time was right to re-release this book, adding a whole new section on technological rage. Since writing this book over a decade ago, it seems that destructive anger has not only grown worse, but it has evolved with technology. In the last five years, I have been contacted by many radio and television networks to appear on their shows as an expert to discuss anger, what causes it, why it escalates into rage, and what can be done to help those with severe anger management problems.

Each time you turn on the television, or see what is trending on Facebook, your stomach turns as you read about another school shooting, an act of domestic terrorism in some workplaces, or a violent act of terrorism perpetrated by an international terrorist organization. Are people really becoming that much angrier that they believe that they need to engage in acts of evil and murder? It really does make you shake your head and wonder! I have been asked on many occasions, "Can anger be addictive?" After working with individuals one on one in counseling and in groups for many years, I would definitely have to say yes!

There are people who get totally aroused, empowered and motivated by their anger. According to Hans Seyle, the creator of the Fight or Flight response phenomenon, people respond to adversity and emotions in one of two ways. They either run from it, or they stand up to it. If you keep standing up to conflict or seek it, you get aroused and release adrenaline. This hormone provides a rush almost like a stimulant or upper. After a while, some people get aroused by this feeling so much, they need it. You see it in sports where aggression is a requirement or by-product for success (i.e., football, boxing, UFC, hockey). They use their anger which moves them toward action.

I have found in clients I have worked with who possess this type of anger when they are not engaging in conflict or getting angry, they get bored and/or sometimes even depressed. I have had some clients with alcohol addictions tell me they go to bars on weekends hoping to get into fights. This provides them with both a sense of excitement and power. Just as drugs provide someone with excitement and power, anger can become the same kind of stimulant.

There are so many different types of anger and many reasons why people develop them. There are also many different types of addictions and many reasons why people become addicted to substances. There is, however, an underlying basic root or component which manifests something as addictive and why the addiction is maintained. That root is low self-esteem. To some degree, we all go through bouts of doubt in ourselves which can trigger feelings of low self-esteem. Most of us find ways to adapt and modify our self-concept so we can feel good again.

There are some people whose self-concept is so low they become depressed and stay in that mood/mindset. Some experts would assert that depression is actually anger turned inward. I would agree with this when an individual demonstrates masochistic traits and self-destructive tendencies. Those who display their depression outward and become aggressive may actually be masking their depression with anger. Anger becomes a coping mechanism. Just as some people use drugs and alcohol to cope, some people use anger the same way. This becomes their vice!

I could spend hours discussing the intricacies of anger, but here is what I think the two most important attributes of anger are to keep in mind: (1) Everyone gets angry as it is a normal and healthy emotion, and (2) You are not nuts or insane when you get angry.

It is how you deal with your anger which is the most important factor going forward. Your response can be one that is controlled or one that is out of control and very destructive!

What can you do to change yourself? Practicing patience, seeking guidance/help and renewing the spirit of your mind is a great start! You also have to recondition your thinking and reacting. When we become conditioned to respond angrily, we develop a tendency to respond to most, if not all, similar situations the same way. In essence, you shortcut your thought processes and put your minds on automatic pilot. Rather than rationalize the experience before responding, you react in a conditioned manner. You have to become more introspective of your emotions and learn what sets you off. What are your triggers?