How Can Anger Management Help Veterans Manage Irritability?
Unresolved military trauma can commonly result in intense anger, rage, and irritability. Veterans commonly face challenges with anger and irritability after being discharged from the military. Although some self-help strategies can help many individuals cope with past trauma, surrendering to an addiction and mental health treatment center can be a wise choice. Doing so can help manage irritability and gain a more balanced mood. Staying dedicated to treatment can also improve a veteran’s quality of life. Fortunately, many veterans have gained great benefits from attending anger management at Restoration Recovery.
How Can Anger Impact a Veteran’s Life?
It can feel frustrating for a veteran to live with frequent anger outbursts and persistent irritability. Negative emotions can put a damper on relationships with family and friends. It can also poorly impact several different aspects of a veteran’s life. Anger and irritability can sometimes also stem from an underlying mental health condition.
For example, there is a strong link between unresolved past trauma and irritability. Many veterans experience problems with untreated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Persistent irritability derived from past trauma can make it difficult for a veteran to gain an adequate amount of sleep. Many veterans struggle with night terrors and insomnia. The effects of untreated trauma may also interfere with their ability to complete daily tasks. Thus, post-military symptoms such as irritability can negatively impact a veteran’s:
- Work performance
- Academic progress
- Marriage and partnerships
- Financial status
- Parenting
Self-Help Strategies to Manage Irritability
It can be difficult for a veteran to cope and effectively manage irritability and persistent anger. Some veterans commonly misuse harmful substances in hopes of coping with the effects of past trauma. Developing a healthy self-care regimen can be a great start. Incorporating beneficial self-help strategies into a structured routine can help one stay on track to emotional and mental stability without depending on drugs or alcohol to cope. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective self-help strategies to manage irritability include:
- Staying abstinent from drugs and alcohol
- Getting an adequate amount of sleep
- Learning to identify trauma triggers
- Practicing relaxation techniques
- Reaching out to family, friends, and professional support
- Pausing when necessary
- Taking time away from watching and reading the news
- Staying active outdoors
The Importance of Surrendering to Treatment for Emotional Instability
Angry outbursts, intense irritability, and aggression can come with serious consequences. Certain behaviors can cause more trouble and lead to further trauma. Without proper management, lashing out in an inappropriate setting can damage many different facets of an individual’s life. For example, a veteran’s professional life, civil reputation, and social life may be at heightened risk. Without professional support, persistent irritability may also lead to:
- Domestic violence issues
- Problems with law enforcement
- Child custody battles
- Substance use disorder (SUD)
- Divorce
- Homelessness
- Co-occurring mental health conditions
- Physical impairment
- A revoked license
What Is Anger Management?
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the purpose of anger management is to help individuals better appropriately respond to their negative emotions. Anger management is generally done in a group session. In a typical anger management session, each participant will review group rules, better understand anger and aggression, and receive additional peer support from others. Each participant will trade coping and management strategies to learn how to appropriately respond to certain triggers without lashing out. Therapy can help promote a safer living environment for families facing problems with veteran irritability as well.
How Can Anger Management Help Manage Irritability?
Standard versions of care such as taking prescription medication and attending individual talk therapy may not be for everyone. One-on-one psychotherapy may also come with a lot of pressure. Therefore, it can be helpful for one to try group therapy for a more relaxed treatment option.
It can be helpful for an individual to speak with a specialist and develop an individualized treatment plan for a more successful path forward. Veterans may find if they stick to a structured routine, incorporate self-help strategies, and attend weekly anger management sessions this may promote long-term recovery. Combining these may also enhance one’s probability of developing a more positive mindset to achieve a better outcome.
Benefits From Participating in Anger Management Group Therapy to Manage Irritability
Veterans who have problems with trauma triggers can become easily startled. Knowing it can be a challenging process for a veteran to overcome past trauma and manage irritability, participating in anger management sessions at Restoration Recovery can provide many different benefits. Staying dedicated to treatment can help veterans avoid the negative consequences of becoming too angry and stay on track to ongoing sobriety and a healthy recovery. Feeling jumpy and on edge can feel uncomfortable. Many veterans feel hopeless. Some advantages that can come from collaborating with others in anger management include:
- Increased self-control
- Learned strategies to respond to anger
- Gained professional and peer support
- A safe place to confide
- Learning how to stop violence
- Improved relationships
At Restoration Recovery, we believe that unprocessed trauma can be a risk factor and contribute to addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Our mental health team understands that veterans struggle with irritability and aggression. Traumatic stress has also been found to increase cortisol and norepinephrine responses to future stressors. Because of this, our California rehab programs offer trauma therapy services for veterans seeking professional care. Treating trauma and substance use disorder together in an integrated approach that addresses both disorders simultaneously is currently the preferred method of treatment. Professional and peer support can help. Call Restoration Recovery at (888) 290-0925 to discover if anger management therapy is right for you.
