Anger can be a challenging emotion to work through.
Sometimes our anger can be frightening. Or, maybe we consider it inappropriate to even feel this way at all.
Not only that, when anger is misdirected, it often leads to poor choices, damaged relationships, and even violence.
So what’s really going on in the brain and body when anger is triggered?
We thought it would be helpful for you to have a way to visualize this. (And please feel free to make a copy of this to share.)
Click the image to enlarge
- The first spark of anger activates the amygdala before you’re even aware of it.
Sources of anger
– Disappointment
– Frustration
– Judgement
– Rejection
– FearNow the amygdala is ready to turn on the stress response system ibn your brain and body.
Scientists named this stress response system the “HPA axis” because it consists of the Hypothalamus, the Pituitary gland, and the Adrenal glands.
In this system, a chain reaction of hormones prepares your body to respond to stressors like anger.Here is how it works:
- The amygdala signals the hypothalamus
- The hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland by discharging CRH (corticotrophin-releasing hormone).
- The pituitary gland signals the adrenal glands by releasing ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone
- The adrenal glands secrete stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.
When these hormones are produced, they quickly impact your neurons and cells. This is important because that impact usually isn’t a helpful one.
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(We put a lot of work into creating these resources, so please include the copyright information and attribute to NICABM if sharing. Thanks!)
For more practical tools and strategies to help clients manage anger, have a look at this short course featuring Stephen Porges, PhD; Marsha Linehan, PhD; Peter Levine, PhD; Ron Siegel, PsyD; Pat Ogden, PhD; and other top experts.
Now we’d like to hear from you. What have you found helpful in working with anger? Please leave a comment below.
Next: How Anger Affects Your Brain and Body, Part 2 – How Stress Hormones Can Change Your Brain.
Does anger kill brain cells?
It’s very interesting understanding how these stress hormones interfere with our response to anger, the scientific explanations of how it come about help therapist handle anger properly. when clients get to learn how their brain respond to stress and anger, they are aware about the biological changes in how they feel when going through hard times.
lt guides and gives a clear picture on how to effectively navigate through stress moments and primary causes of anger.
it’s a powerful tool
Thank you
Love these infographics!!! they’ll be an awesome tool in working with teens.
I have been walking patients through these steps for years with my own graphic and I so appreciate this colorful graphic to use via telehealth! Thank you! With appreciation, Shelley Hanson, LMFT
Fantastic infographics – thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness!
Love this !!!
I love these 3 articles on anger, brain and body….practical and easy to understand! I especially like the graphics! I see that you allow us to download and print them. May I have permission to use these articles (with credit to the source, of course) for an upcoming presentation I will be giving?
Thank you!!
fantastic infographic
This is excellent way to explain to many of us
How our brain and glands explode when we get ANGRY!!
Also, I would suggest that seeing an “ANGER MANAGEMENT THERAPIST” would be an “EASY” fix to this problem,
also realizing that this “fix” will NOT BE EASY to accomplish IF we are ASHAMED of it, or Do Not want to face WHY we are getting angry, for instance Because of someone else who got angry easily and modeled that behavior for us early on in our lives.
Just my suggestion, recommendation, and possible help if we can use this ANGER itself to ACT ON FIXING the PRoblem of Anger Response.
This puts a picture in my mind of what is happening when the emotion anger is triggered. I have a daughter with anger problems and is with a boyfriend with anger problems and it is affecting the children.
It’s because people have repressed their anger in their childhood, and until they haven’t resolved the underlying issues of their anger, they will continue to suffer.
Magnesium, for whatever reason, taking it appears to assist those with anger issues.
PS: I’d be interested in seeing a chart that depicts the positive process and its implications/impact on the toxic function of anger. Thanks for all your insights. Ed