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Anger

Anger is an emotion of displeasure, usually regarding an act or idea of another person or organisation. Sometimes a person feels angry at him- or herself for having acted stupidly or badly, etc.

Anger involves a sense of injustice, outrage, frustration, irritation, or violent conflict.

Anger may also result from irritability brought on by organic illnesses such as bipolar disorder or non-organic illnesses like caffeinism. Research also shows that some individuals can be genetically predisposed to higher levels of anger.

Physiological effects of anger

* In response to an electrical stimulation to the hypothalamus area of the brain, production of the hormone adrenaline is increased.

* Respiration deepens.

* The heart beats more rapidly and may palpitate. Blood pressure rises.

* The sympathetic nervous system diverts blood from the skin, liver, stomach and intestines to the heart, central nervous system and muscles.

* The digestive processes are suspended.

* Glucose is freed from reserves in the liver.

* Cortisol production is increased in order to depress the immune system.

* The spleen contracts and discharges its content of concentrated corpuscles.

* Men have an increased supply of the hormone testosterone.

More noticeable effects of anger include:

* More acute senses.

* Desire to yell out or to move quickly and forcefully.

* The eyes are open wider than usual and the pupils are dilated.

* The face reddens, but then may turn pale.

* We have more physical strength than usual.

* Speech and motion are faster and more intense.

* Our muscles are tense.

Religious perspective on anger

Buddhism presents a quite different view on emotions like anger. Anger is defined here as: "being unable to bear the object, or the intention to cause harm to the object". Anger is seen as aversion with a stronger exaggeration, and is listed as one of the five hindrances.

In the tradition of Christendom, causeless, excessive, or protracted anger is sinful (Matt. 5:22; Eph. 4:26; Col. 3:8), one of the seven deadly sins.Leaving a warning to "Not let the sun go down on your anger". But as ascribed to God, it merely denotes his displeasure with sin and with sinners (Ps. 7:11).

The information above is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for the diagnosis and/or treatment by a licensed, qualified, health-care professional. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It incorporates material originating from the Wikipedia article "Anger".