Anger is an emotion that informs us that we need to defend or protect ourselves, if we believe our boundaries are being violated. Again, this is very useful emotion in keeping us safe when it’s activated in an appropriate situation, such as if someone is trying to steal something from us or hurt someone close to us. It can become a problem, though, if we interpret there to be a boundary violation when there isn’t, like yelling at someone because we think they were intentionally being rude to us by ignoring us, when they actually just didn’t hear us. It can have the effect of harming relationships unnecessarily.
| Physical Sensations | Thoughts | Behaviours |
| Muscles tightening | “That’s not fair” | Yelling, swearing |
| Feeling hot | “I’m being disrespected” | Hitting/throwing something |
| Heart pounding | Rigidly thinking, “I’m right” | Verbally attacking the source of your anger |