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Are you an anger junkie? You're probably shaking your head indicating "No," but it might be worth your while to think a little deeper. According to Elizabeth Scott, M.S., in her article, What is an Adrenaline Junkie?, "These are the people who always seem to have a crisis going on in their lives (real or overblown) or the people who have dramatic conflicts with people in their lives, exploding in anger and otherwise causing unnecessary 'drama'." It is the "rush" that anger addicts love - the increase in heart rate, blood pressure, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Neurons transmit chemicals along a path known as the neuron sheath. At the end of the sheath are neuron receptors that receive and lock in the noradrenaline (the stress hormone) and adrenaline. When a person perceives a threat to his happiness, wellbeing or physical welfare, the fight-or-flight response kicks in and readies him to either run away or fight it out with his adversary. If he chooses to fight, anger is born and reinforced every time he rages or brawls. When the brain experiences hyper-stimulation, interesting things happen. The emotion of anger is produced by the brain's limbic system, which is the seat of all emotions. This system also causes the secretion of dopamine, the pleasure hormone. Dopamine (where we get the word "dope") is the anatomical and chemical stepping-stone to addiction. Anger addiction, alcoholism, gambling and porn addictions - even "shop-a-holism" are the fruits of repeated dopamine exposure during a response to threat or habitual conflict. The frontal lobe of the brain accounts for the angst of the adolescent brain, (or as this mother and mental health professional once defined the frontal lobe, it was the home of the "head-in-underwear" syndrome of her four irrational teenagers). This phenomenon is caused by the immature and slower development of the frontal lobe in humans. It is not completely developed until a human being is in his mid-to-late 20's. The frontal lobe highjacks rational thinking and sends it down the path of whimsy and reckless behavior. It is no small wonder that a child exposed to repeated aggression and chaos in the home will learn (erroneously) that anger is the appropriate reaction to perceived threat. When the child transitions into adulthood, anger is the most viable, reasonable solution to his problems. And besides - it makes him feel good (hence, dopamine at work). Normally it is extremely difficult for a layperson to re-program an angry adult into a passive, contented soul. It can, though, be accomplished by a psychologist specializing in cognitive behavioral or someone who truly understand the mind and body connection. Anger is addictive. If you are married to a chronically angry person or know one, try to remember that his frontal lobe, limbic system, and brain chemicals are the cause of his disordered thinking. Encourage him to get professional help.
Anger Mentor is an expert in anger and conflict resolution and runs a wonderfully resourceful blog about anger management techniques. With his articles and special knowledge of modern science and ancient wisdom traditions, he has taught hundreds of people how improve quality of their lives. Visit his site today for more awesome tips at http://angermentor.com/anger-management-techniques.
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