Anger Management

In his blog Exquisite Corpse, writer and NPR commentator Andrei Codrescu this week offered his views on the dangers of anger management. He writes, "Anger is such a great feeling. I would hate to see it lost to management."

The poet and novelist goes on to list some historical horrors, such as slavery and child labor, that would still be common in this country were it not for anger. He also alludes to circumstances and people that would evoke outrage in practically anyone.

I realize that all of this is offered in the sublime, ironic style that Codrescu so deftly employs. It requires no rebuttal. In fact, his points are some of the same points that I would make to anyone seeking help due to anger issues: Anger can be justified. Anger can be useful. It is a basic emotion and therefore helps define us as human beings.

The point that I would add, coming from a CBT perspective, is that anger management is about staying focused on your goals. Say you're in a hurry to get to an important meeting, when you're stopped by a police officer for speeding. Now you're really running late, and that makes you angry. Your goal is to get through the interaction as soon as possible so you can be on your way. If you allow your anger to influence your behavior, perhaps getting mouthy with the cop, then you'll likely be kissing your goal goodbye. If, on the other hand, you're able to use techniques to temper your anger's intensity, you're more likely to move things along.

In other words, managing anger doesn't give others a free pass. It rather gives you a leg up.