A member asked:

Please provide some do's and don'ts on overcoming anger.

35 doctors weighed in across 68 answers
Dr. Bradford Romans answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Ignore: Walk away from object of anger, take 3 slow deep breaths, in thru nose, out thru mouth, then keep walking.

Answered 1/28/2018

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Dr. Ryan Phasouk answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Ignore: Do find a healthy outlet, such as a sport, to burn off excess energy.

Answered 7/22/2017

4.3k views

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Dr. Keshab Paudel answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Ignore: Get enrolled in anger management class if you can't help your self.

Answered 4/23/2014

4.2k views

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Dr. Matt Wachsman answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Ignore: Don't get into a low self-esteem/beating yourself up trap with it. Only triggers more anger.

Answered 1/16/2019

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Dr. Alison Segal answered

Specializes in Clinical Health

Ignore: Exhale through your mouth and inhale through your nose. Fill your lungs from your belly.

Answered 5/21/2014

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Dr. Ihab Ibrahim answered

Specializes in Pain Management

Get: Get help. Exercise. Got to make changes. Yes, make plans. Very big plans, to enjoy life and relax.

Answered 5/23/2015

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Dr. Ryan Phasouk answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Try: Try yoga to channel your anger into downward dog.

Answered 6/5/2014

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Dr. Harold Peltan answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

Don't: Don't send that angry email until tomorrow. You might want to edit it to be less confrontational.

Answered 10/4/2016

3.9k views

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Dr. Marsha Davis answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Ignore: Do recognize that anger is not often healthy and there are better ways of dealing with situations.

Answered 7/3/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

“Speak: “Speak when you are angry - and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret.”Dr. Laurence J.Peter.

Answered 7/10/2014

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

“Attack: “Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.”.

Answered 7/12/2014

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

If: If what one has to say is not better than silence, then one should keep silent.” Confucius.

Answered 7/12/2014

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

“The: “The nobler sort of man emphasizes the good qualities in others, & does not accentuate the bad.".

Answered 7/12/2014

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

“The: “The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world & the world at large.”.

Answered 7/12/2014

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Forgiveness: Forgiveness allows you to let go of anger.

Answered 7/12/2014

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Refusal: Refusal to forgive drains you both emotionally and spiritually.

Answered 7/12/2014

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Sometimes,: Sometimes, agreeing to disagree is the best resolution.

Answered 7/12/2014

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Anger: Anger is not justification for hurting another.

Answered 7/13/2014

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

“If: “If you are patient in a moment of anger, you will escape one hundred days of sorrow.”.

Answered 7/29/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Take: Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before speaking, and allow others involved 2 do the same.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

As: As soon as you're thinking clearly, express your frustration assertively but non-confrontational.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

When: When Angry, State your concerns and needs clearly and directly, without hurting others.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

When: When Angry, state your concerns and needs clearly and directly, without trying to control others.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Perform: Perform physical activity, it can help reduce stress that can cause you to become angry.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

If: If you feel your anger escalating, go for a brisk walk or perform other enjoyable physical activity.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Give: Give yourself short breaks during times that tend to be stressful.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Do: Do not focus on what made you mad, work on resolving the issue at hand.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

If: If your partner is late for dinner every night...Schedule meals later in the evening!

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

If: If a child's messy room makes you mad, close the door.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Remind: Remind yourself that anger won't fix anything and might only make it worse.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Use: Use "I" statements, like "I'm upset you left the table."Instead of "You never help with the dishes".

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Don't: Don't allow anger and other negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings!

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Forgive: Forgive someone who angered you, you might both learn from the situation.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Don't: Don't expect everyone to behave exactly as you want at all times.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Use: Use humor to help you face what's making you angry.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

When: When your temper flares, put relaxation skills to work.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Practice: Practice deep-breathing exercises, imagine a relaxing scene, or repeat calming words.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Listen: Listen to music, write in a journal or do a few yoga poses.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Do: Do not drink Alcohol (or do drugs ever) when you are angry!

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Consider: Consider seeking help for anger issues if your anger seems out of control.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Get: Get help if your anger causes you to do things you regret or hurts those around you.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Control: Control your anger and express it appropriately, and you will build better relationships.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Control: Control your anger to achieve your goals, and lead a healthier, more satisfying life.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Don't: Don't have an outburst or tirade, it will only fuel the fire and reinforce your anger problem.

Answered 7/15/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

"Speak: "Speak softly and don't carry any size stick.".

Answered 7/15/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Don't: Don't assume you know what someone else is feeling or thinking.

Answered 7/16/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Don't: Don't blame others for the things that happen to you rather than taking responsibility yourself!

Answered 7/16/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Act: Act quickly to deal with your anger before it spins out of control.

Answered 7/16/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Rather: Rather than looking to the past and assigning blame, focus on what you can do in the present to help.

Answered 11/6/2017

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Remove: Remove yourself from the situation if your loved one does not calm down.

Answered 7/29/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Consider: Consider counseling or therapy for yourself if you are having a hard time standing up for yourself.

Answered 7/16/2014

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Dr. John Munshower answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

If: If you feel unsafe or threatened in any way, get away from your loved one and go somewhere safe.

Answered 7/16/2014

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Managing: Managing anger starts as toddler. Don't give in to temper tantrums and they won't learn to use anger.

Answered 9/28/2016

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Tell: Tell urself u r not going 2 get angry.Talk calmly 2 the other person/walk away if cant control anger.

Answered 11/7/2015

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Ask: Ask yourself, "what am I really angry at?" Make sure you know the real cause as you problem-solve.

Answered 1/18/2019

3.7k views

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Dr. Milton Alvis, jr answered

Specializes in Preventive Medicine

Ignore: Anger believes will correct wrongs/evil while actually driving/building same. Thus Shift for Power!

Answered 1/4/2015

3.4k views

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Dr. Girish Kalva answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Ignore: Laugh without purpose when angry! It's not worth more than a few min.just walk away from the place.

Answered 1/10/2015

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Ignore: Take a time out and let anger dissipate before doing anything else.

Answered 2/4/2015

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Ignore: Move away from a provoking Situation and count from 1 to 10 before reacting to the situation.

Answered 3/15/2015

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Ignore: Deep breathing excercises and relaxation tapes help release some of the anger.

Answered 4/16/2015

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Dr. Alan Ali answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Tell: Tell others how you feel when you're upset, but show others how you feel when you're happy.

Answered 5/14/2015

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You: You may have many reasons and a right to be angry. You do not have a right to take it out on others.

Answered 5/15/2015

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Dr. Moji Ariyo answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Rather: Rather than exploding, take deep breaths, count to 10 or walk away when you are angry.

Answered 6/22/2015

2.7k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Reduce: Reduce Stress, Dance! Feeling angry, stressed, kick up your feet and dance, music & exercise help!

Answered 5/1/2016

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Take: Take the initiative to not only apologize, but "do-over" the conversation. Then, ask for feedback!

Answered 1/20/2016

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Ignore: Do admit when your anger got out of control, and repent for those statements you regret.

Answered 2/20/2016

1.6k views

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

“Forgiveness: “Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.” * Martin Luther King Jr.

Answered 11/11/2017

481 views

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

“Inner: “Inner peace can be reached only when we practice forgiveness. * Gerald G. Jampolsky.

Answered 11/11/2017

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