I often express my anger. I look for a person to listen to my complaints. I do not seek solutions. I do not accept the situation. This action gives me temporary relief. I wondered about its long-term benefits.

Now a scientific study published in Clinical Psychological Review [1] offers a different view. Researchers found little evidence that venting helps upset people. The practice may increase anger. Dr. Speakman's team defined venting as expressing anger verbally or physically [2].

> Venting “doesn’t encourage things like problem-solving, taking a different view on things, and radical acceptance,” Aaron P. Brinen, PsyD, assistant professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells SELF. “It’s just continuing to fuel the anger and aggression,” he adds.

> Venting also tends to go hand-in-hand with rumination, which is when you keep going over the same negative thoughts, Dr. Bushman says. “That’s like using gasoline to try to put out a fire,” he says. “It’s a very ineffective and destructive way to manage anger. It’s the worst thing you can do.”

What is the solution?

According to Dr. Bushman [3], the primary objective after agitation is to achieve calm. He recommends practices like mindfulness meditation, breathing techniques, and yoga. These methods effectively alleviate stress and anger. One needs practice in these methods.

Dr. Gallagher [4] suggests one should first attain composure. A person must then reflect on their emotions. One can question the source of these feelings. The cause could be a present stressor. It could also be a memory from the past. I find this assertion largely true for me. Understanding the cause is essential [2].

For those who communicate verbally, she recommends constructive dialogue. With a friend, one can work towards a solution or acceptance. She notes that empathy allows for emotional exploration. This process is distinct from mere venting [2].

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735824000357
2. https://www.self.com/story/venting-causes-anger-how-to-calm-down
3. https://comm.osu.edu/people/bushman.20
4. https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1003153511/thea-gallagher

#Psychology #MentalHealth #AngerManagement