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Anger is a powerful emotion that dwells within all of us, but can be a particularly difficult to manage when you are a teenager. Teens are undergoing drastic chemical and physiological changes, through turbulent and confusing adolescent years. Unfortunately, the adults in their lives may not always provide the best example when it comes to managing anger. So what is a frenzied teenager to do?
It is important to remember that you cannot always control the outcome of a situation, but you can control how it affects you. Anger is just one of many emotions within you, although it is often the most difficult one to handle. The moment that you allow your rage to overtake you, a change occurs within your body; your heart beats faster, blood pressure rises, muscles clench, teeth grit, and adrenaline releases into the bloodstream. This state of tension can remain with you indefinitely if your emotions are not dealt with properly. Failure to address such a powerful emotional imbalance can even manifest itself in health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure, or ulcers. In fact, uncontrolled anger can lead to a pattern of criminal, violent, or abusive behavior.
You should never attempt repress your emotions, but rather channel or dispel them. If you feel a fit of rage coming on, immediately take a time out and draw in a long, slow, deep breath. Now, take a moment to reflect upon the situation: What exactly is making you angry? Are there any underlying issues that are contributing to your eruption? What alternatives are there to becoming annoyed? Will reacting through anger really help to improve this state of affairs? In many cases, you will find that by taking a moment to step back from the situation, you will gain perspective to see that it is not really worth becoming furious at all.
To get angry over circumstances, particularly those that you cannot change, only makes you drag that negativity into other aspects of your life. If you are concerned that these efforts have not completely done away with the rage, try channeling it through activities that you enjoy. You can lie down and relax, do some exercise, or engage in your favorite hobby. If that still doesn't help, try "sleeping on it" to get a fresh day's perspective or sharing your feelings with a friend, family member, or counselor. Remember that it is your charge to find a way to control your emotions rather than allowing them to control you.
Larry Deutsch is the Community Education Director for Youth In Need, a non-profit organization serving the youth and families of Eastern Missouri. Youth In Need has taken a "strength-based" approach toward helping teenagers, a method which stresses the empowerment of youngsters to solve their own problems. Youth In Need counselors avoid preaching or belittling clients and work to improve situations rather than searching for blame in them. The program offers personalized in-home visits, information and assistance on life needs, and opportunities to share experiences with peers. For more information please contact Youth In Need at (636) 946-0101.
 
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