Even if you hide your anger, you are still spending time and energy on it. Following are some ways I’ve observed hidden anger manifested:
- Procrastination in the completion of tasks, especially ones you don’t like or want to do
- Habitual lateness
- Sarcasm, cynicism or flippancy
- Overpoliteness, constant cheerfulness (fake), attitude of “grin and bear it” but internally resenting it
- Frequent sighing
- Smiling while hurting
- Overcontrolled monotone speaking voice
- Frequent disturbing or frightening dreams
- Difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep, with thoughts going around in your head keeping you awake
- Boredom, apathy, loss of interest in things you are usually enthusiastic about (depression from internalized anger)
- Slowing down of movements, especially when doing things you don’t want to do
- Getting tired more easily than usual
- Excessive irritability over trifles
- Facial tics, spasmodic foot movements, habitual fist clenching, and similar repeated physical acts done unintentionally
In other words, burying anger does not diffuse it; rather, it tunnels it underground, where it undermines your sense of self and manifests in damaging ways. Sometimes, the need to deny the strength of, or even existence of, anger is so powerful that you create the capacity to deny the anger even exists. But the force of anger will find other, secondary outlets.
SOURCE: Chapter2: “The Root of Destructive Anger” in Every Woman’s Guide to Managing Your Anger by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD., founder of The Center for Counseling and Health Resources Inc.
Related Posts
Example of life stress
By: Dr. Gregory Jantz • December 9, 2009
The more stress you experience, the more difficult it becomes to deal with that stress because of the toll it takes on you. The more overwhelmed you feel by the stressed in your life, the easier it is for anger, resentment, and bitterness to take root. Stress runs the gamut...
Managing Hormonal Rage
By: Dr. Gregory Jantz • April 28, 2015
No discussion of women’s anger would be complete without acknowledging the physical and hormonal influence over the course of your life—from puberty to post-menopause. Each stage has its own challenges. Whatever the phase, there are some basic commonsense steps you can take to treat your body gently. Women in their...
Finding Courage to Face Depression
By: Dr. Gregory Jantz • October 31, 2017
The source of this pain may be rooted in childhood, meaning you’re so accustomed to feeling this way, you may experience anger, fear, and guilt afresh at dredging up these truths.
Get Started Now
"*" indicates required fields
Whole Person Care
The whole person approach to treatment integrates all aspects of a person’s life:
- Emotional well-being
- Physical health
- Spiritual peace
- Relational happiness
- Intellectual growth
- Nutritional vitality