What is aggression?
Aggression refers to a range of behaviours that can result in both psychological and physical harm to yourself, others, or objects in the environment. Aggression centres on hurting the other person either mentally or physically.
While we all may feel aggressive on occasion, when aggression becomes pervasive or extreme, it may be a sign of an underlying mental health condition, a substance use disorder, or another medical issue.
Different purposes aggression serves include:- Intimidating or threatening
- Asserting dominance
- Achieving a goal
- Responding to fear
- Expressing possession
- Expressing anger or hostility
- Reacting to pain
- Competing with others
Secure your health with a second opinion. Make informed decisions and book your appointment today!
Get A Second OpinionTypes of Aggressions
sychologists divide aggression into two categories. Whether one is the aggressor or the victim, both are harmful to the people who experience them.
Impulsive Aggressiveness
- Uncontrollably aggressive
- Strong emotions are a defining characteristic of impulsive aggressiveness, sometimes referred to as affective or reactive aggression
- The amygdala, hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray are brain regions involved in the acute threat response system
- This system is activated by impulsive aggression, particularly when it is brought on by anger
- This unplanned aggressive behavior frequently happens in the heat of the moment
- Impulsive aggression is demonstrated when you start berating and yelling at a driver who cuts you off in traffic
Instrumental Aggression
- Intentional hostility
- Instrumental aggression is also referred to as predatory aggression
- It is characterized by actions meant to accomplish a greater objective
- One instrumental aggression is typically used as a tool and is frequently planned out
- One instance of this kind of aggressiveness is injuring someone else during a heist
- The attacker wants to get money, and hurting someone else is how he or she can accomplish that Psychological Element
Mental Health Disorders Caused by Aggression
Aggressive conduct has been linked to a number of mental health disorders, including:
- ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- BPD (Borderline personality disorder)
- Selfishness
- PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder
Other conditions that can affect aggression include;
Anger Management Strategies to Control Your Rage and Reduce Stress
When you're feeling aggressive, you can control your rage and find more productive ways to deal with your situation. Creating a pre-planned anger management strategy might provide you with a road map for when your feelings get out of control. Among the strategies to lower your stress levels in that plan should be:
- Recognizing the warning indicators of your anger, such as clenching your jaw, a rapid heartbeat, or perspiration
- Using methods of relaxation such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, or meditation (PMR) use your senses by paying attention to what you can taste, touch, smell, hear, or see
- Leaving the scene
- Working out to burn off extra energy requesting social support from a dependable friend or family member Getting occupied with something else Rephrasing unfavorable ideas
- Acknowledging and investigating the feelings that underlie the hostility
Ready to take control of your health journey? Book your appointment now and start your path towards wellness today!
Book an Appointment
