Anger Management: Have you "lost" your mind?

Who hasn’t felt (at some point in their life) like their head was about to blow off their neck, their heart was beating outside their chest, or simply giving up when they’re under extreme amounts of stress as they face the unexpected and unwanted moments in their life? For most, those moments are manageable even though stressful. But what about those individuals who simply don’t respond with a “level” headed reaction? Why are some able to let stress roll off their shoulders while others seem to blow their gaskets without a second thought? And how does "self esteem" play part in our overall response?

Cortisol – The “fight or flight” hormone
Stress affects the brain’s ability to think clearly, so when we’re under extreme amounts of stress we literally lose our concentration while our hormones kick into overdrive. Maybe that’s why we can’t seem to think straight or react in a manner that we would otherwise regret. The “fight or flight” hormone, Cortisol, is released through the Adrenal glands when we’re angry, causing us to have a burst of energy that is usually hard to suppress (causing some to feel out of control). For each individual, the reaction is usually one of two things: Fighting against the stress or running from it. Rarely, will anyone not have a reaction to a stressful situation; however those who can keep a level head benefit from doing so.

The downside of Cortisol is the negative health effects our bodies will suffer from (post the anger moment) causing us to experience the following:
*Suppressed Thyroid function
*Slower metabolism
*Increased blood glucose
*Chronic inflammation
*High blood pressure
*Decreased bone density
*Acid reflux

All of the above lowers our body’s natural immunity system, rendering us more susceptible to illness and disease.
 
Heart and mind
When our blood pressure rises, our body responds with a domino like effect, starving our brain of oxygen while putting more stress on our body, releasing chemicals through our blood stream that clot our blood. The adage “You’re going to give yourself a heart attack” is a potentially prophetic statement least we bring our stress under control.

Not only will our body suffer, but our brain will, too. A lack of oxygen deprives the brain’s ability to “think clearly” (so yes, you do feel like you’re losing your mind!). The even worse part is that you will continue to suffer from all the “stress” you’ve put your body through long after the anger moment is gone. Some of the lingering symptoms include:
*Insomnia
*Migraines
*Back, neck and body aches

The Command Center: "Houston, we have a problem!"
Neurological consequences run hand in hand with physical outcomes, literally compromising our brains ability to produce the chemical balance needed for our overall wellness. Our hypothalamus is likened to a command post inside our brain, releasing controlling hormones that balance our mood. When these hormones are blocked (which is what occurs naturally when we’re angry) the releasing of them is blocked, as well, usually resulting in depression.
The important part of all of this is to know that your brain can work “for” you as well as “against” you based upon how it is used.

Angry brain?
Amygdala (the “anger” portion of our brain) is the portion of our brain that reacts to stress. The prefrontal cortex region of our brain calms down the amygdala. Some of us naturally have the ability to negotiate the balance of our amygdala with our prefrontal cortex region, calming down the increased cortisol levels that rise during heated moments, while others struggle with using this part of their brain to balance their emotions.

Stress + Anger = Predisposed response?
So why are some people more reactive (or over-reactive) when it comes to emotional stress? Could they possibly be genetically predisposed or hormonally out of balance causing their bodies to respond to stress in a manner that seems over the top? Yes, to both. There is also a likely pattern that develops in the early years of our childhood, stimulating our bodies response mechanisms during “stress”.

Stress management
Stress is a huge problem in most our lives. When we suffer from stress at a very young age, we develop “patterns” within our brain that last well into adult hood. Remember: Stress has a cycle effect on the brain causing it to stop working for us, turning our body against us. Certain mental/emotional disabilities affect our reasoning skills and with therapy and treatment can be stabilized. However, if the anger response is coming from external factors, then it’s time to “rethink” the response to stress, making a clear decision bringing it under control as it occurs. If stress is ruining your relationships, destroying your health and depressing/oppressing your overall wellness, take action now before the stress takes over your life.

Quick Tips for Wellness: He/she who allows stress to get the best of them is allowing stress to get the rest of them. Take control of stress before it takes control of you.

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Reference: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Self-Esteem+and+Stress-Anxiety-a01073856127, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress/SR00001