| Handling Anger Anger and TBI By capron2dehghani_99 |
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Handling anger is not just a problem for those of us with a traumatic or acquired brain injury. But many survivors have some degree of frontal lobe injury either due to direct trauma to the frontal lobe or as a consequence of the contrecoup injury (when the brain bounces against the opposite side of skull from original impact). This frontal lobe area is one of the last portions of the brain to develop. This is the portion needed for a finer grasp of social skills. Small children often blurt out emotions best contained until a more appropriate time or means of expression can be used. Those terrible two's tantrums or physical scuffling of childhood are examples of the immature brain at work emotionally. It is not until after age 11 that the areas of the brain responsible for social awareness become fine-tuned. Sadly, this area is often injured when trauma occurs. Now another skill needs to be re-learned by many of us. Survivors 'know' how they should react but at times have little control over bursts of emotions. If the damaged to the brain is too great, this may always be a serious problem. But, the majority can re-learn those social skills and contain our anger. It is a slow process and rarely works if the person's system is overwhelmed. Take the time to consciously pause before anger takes root. Ask your family, friends and other caregivers to signal you if they see you starting to over react. Each time one can rein-in on small emotional burst, it strengthens the ability to handle an explosive reaction in the future. When calm write a "Trigger List". Fold a piece of paper to form two columns. On the left write "What" sets you off. On the right side write "Why" you think it bother's you. These do not need to be full sentences. The purpose of the list is to identify your key anger igniters. Another time you can mull over "How" to respond. On another day pick up the "Trigger List" you developed, now list ways to better handle each situation. But let's say the anger is eating you. You are caught in its fury. How can you release this rage without damaging relationships or physically harming yourself or another? Think of ways to release energy physically. Mentally you can visualize and write down your emotions. |
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