But anger shouldnt be viewed as bad, she says.
It serves a purpose, and it can be used in effective ways.
They also asked participants about neglect and emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.
Although the findings dont prove that trauma causes the anger, the link is clear, she added.
Is It Okay to Be Angry?
But the display of anger is not considered acceptable across all groups of people, she says.
For example, theres an insidious angry Black woman stereotype that characterizes Black women as generally angry and unreasonable.
Women in general are often socialized to believe that anger is not appropriate or ladylike, she says.
All emotions are useful and serve different functions, she says.
Anger may be linked to disorders, such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, she says.
You may not know exactly where its coming from, and thats why its helpful to see a therapist.
And thats not what we want, she adds.
For others, pent up anger can erode you from the inside out, she says.
One way to practice that is through journaling, she says.
Write down what you feel and why.
Remember, sometimes anger makes sense.
It can empower you to make a change or address an issue that needs addressing, she says.
Use your anger to advocate for yourself or others.
There are evidence-based treatments that may help people who are experiencing anger connected to childhood trauma, says Hargrove.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and emotion-focused therapy may also help in understanding and managing anger, says Hargrove.
Becky Upham has been professionally involved in health and wellness for almost 20 years.
Upham enjoys teaching cycling classes, running, reading fiction, and making playlists.
