Chapter 5Chapter 5The Stress Emotions: The Stress Emotions:

Anger and FearAnger and Fear

They called me the angriest Negro in They called me the angriest Negro in America. I wouldn’t deny that America. I wouldn’t deny that charge. I spoke exactly as I felt. I charge. I spoke exactly as I felt. I believe in anger.believe in anger.

- Malcolm X- Malcolm X

Anger and fearAnger and fear

there are two emotions especially there are two emotions especially associated with the stress response:associated with the stress response:– angeranger– fearfear

anger produces the urge to fight.anger produces the urge to fight. fear promotes the urge to run and fear promotes the urge to run and

hide.hide.

The anatomy of angerThe anatomy of anger rage reflexrage reflex gender differencesgender differences physiological responsesphysiological responses the myths of catharsisthe myths of catharsis anger mismanagement stylesanger mismanagement styles

– somatizerssomatizers– self-punishersself-punishers– explodersexploders– underhandersunderhanders

Creative anger strategiesCreative anger strategies

know your anger styleknow your anger style learn to monitor your angerlearn to monitor your anger learn to de-escalate your angerlearn to de-escalate your anger learn to out-think your angerlearn to out-think your anger

Creative anger strategiesCreative anger strategies get comfortable with all your get comfortable with all your

feelings -- express them feelings -- express them constructivelyconstructively

plan aheadplan ahead develop a strong support systemdevelop a strong support system develop realistic expectations of develop realistic expectations of

yourself and othersyourself and others

Creative anger strategiesCreative anger strategies

learn problem solving techniqueslearn problem solving techniques stay in shapestay in shape turn complaints into requeststurn complaints into requests make past anger pass: forgivenessmake past anger pass: forgiveness

The anatomy of fearThe anatomy of fear(basic human fears)(basic human fears)

fear of failurefear of failure fear of rejectionfear of rejection fear of the unknownfear of the unknown fear of deathfear of death fear of isolationfear of isolation fear of the loss of self-dominancefear of the loss of self-dominance

A strategy to overcome fearA strategy to overcome fear(systematic desensitization)(systematic desensitization)

The most effective way to dissolve The most effective way to dissolve fear is to confront it. One way to fear is to confront it. One way to do this is through a technique do this is through a technique called systematic desensitization, called systematic desensitization, where the stressor is confronted where the stressor is confronted piecemeal to build a psychological piecemeal to build a psychological immunity to it.immunity to it.

DepressionDepression Silent face of stressSilent face of stress

– Persistent sadnessPersistent sadness

– Loss of interestLoss of interest

– Lethargic moodsLethargic moods

– Appetite changesAppetite changes

– Difficulty concentratingDifficulty concentrating

– Pervading hopelessnessPervading hopelessness

– Alcohol, drug useAlcohol, drug use

– Thoughts of death and suicideThoughts of death and suicide

Anger turned inwardAnger turned inward ““a chemical cure cannot heal emotional wounds”a chemical cure cannot heal emotional wounds”