Lecture 3 - The Anger Fallacy Flashcards
Why should anger be considered a mental disorder? (4)
Similar frequency to depression & anxiety.
It impairs judgment decisions, problem-solving and negotiating -> riskier behaviours.
Impacts quality of life (relationship breakdown)
Those with high anger traits are significantly less likely to be married or employed.
What disorders appear alongside anger problems?
50% of people with an anger problem also have a substance-use issue.
What PD is anger related to? What is the problem with associating anger symptoms with PD?
Seems to be related to antisocial, paranoid and borderline PD. But those with high anger traits do not necessarily have a PD.
What is the problem with Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)?
Only accounts for minor or major outbursts without considering aggression. Assumes that there is an impulse control problem here but that might not be the case (break certain items, attack certain people, etc.).
What is the problem with Oppositional Defiant Disorder as an anger disorder?
Aimed at children and emphasises malice, rather than anger.
What is the problem with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder?
Discusses symptoms of anger, but must be present prior to 18 -> used to remove bipolar diagnoses.
In the study by Lachmund, DiGiueseppe, and Fuller (2005), what difficulties arise in treating anger compared to anxiety?
Clinicians are able to successfully identify social phobia, but had difficulties with anger -> IED, psychosis, or PD (despite no PD traits being mentioned). But anxiety and anger have a similar frequency.
What are misconceptions of anger? (5)
Angry people could just be angry.
People with anger have a high self-esteem (so not depression).
Angry people can be polite -> not impulse control.
Venting is not useful -> script reinforcement (breaking plates).
Treated with exposure therapy or anxiety -> not treating the anger.
