Anger issues can be common following head injury. Have a look at the following statements that may help with this initially.
For further help please contact Alba Psychology.
ANGER MANAGEMENT – COPING SELF-STATEMENTS
Following brain injury it is common to experience difficulties with mood regulation or anger. A useful way of coping with these is the use of “self talk” or “self statements” which can be used to review your behaviour following a situation.
PREPARING FOR A PROVOCATION
This could be a rough situation, but I know how to deal with it.
I can work on a plan to handle this.
Easy does it.
Remember, stick to the issues and don’t take it personally.
There won’t be any need for an argument.
I know what to do.
IMPACT AND CONFRONTATION
As long as I keep my cool, I’m in control of the situation.
You don’t need to prove yourself.
Don’t make more of this than you have to.
There is no point in getting angry.
Think of what you have to do.
Look for the positives and don’t jump to conclusions.
COPING WITH AROUSAL
Muscles are getting tight, relax and slow things down.
Time to take a deep breath, let’s take the issue point by point.
My anger is a signal of what I need to do.
Time for problem solving.
He probably wants me to get angry, but I’m going to deal with this constructively.
SUBSEQUENT REFLECTION
A. Conflict unresolved
Forget about the aggravation.
Thinking about it only makes me upset, try to shake it off.
Don’t let it interfere with your job.
Remember relaxation.
Don’t take it personally.
It’s probably not so serious.
B. Conflict resolved
I handled that one pretty well.
That’s doing a good job.
I could have become more upset than it was worth.
My pride can get me into trouble, but I’m getting better at this all the time.
I actually got through that without getting angry.