Overcoming Anger
Problems with irritability and feeling 'on edge' can be very
common in veterans.
If you have a problem with anger you probably already know it,
but these are some of the signs.
Make a note of which of them you experience regularly:
How you feel/what happens to your body
Anger or rage
Heart pounds, races, skips a beat
Irritable at the slightest thing
Chest feels tight
Restless, on edge, uptight
Stomach Churns
Flashes of rage
Legs go weak
Tense muscles
Go very hot
Having to go to the toilet frequently
Sweating
Head buzzing, pounding
What do you do?
Snappy and irritable behaviour
Shout and argue
Hit out
Leave the situation
Throw/hit an object, slam door, etc.
Attack someone
Say something unkind
Cry
Push someone
Do nothing, bottle it up
Get drunk/smoke/take drugs
Hurt yourself
If you have noted several of the above and you are having
difficulty with your anger, we recommend that you seek help from
your GP, from a therapist at Veterans First Point, or from a mental
health professional.
Please note that while this website provides information, it is
not a substitute for consulting with a doctor or mental health
professional.
Guide
L3 A Guide to
Controlling Anger
Organisations and advice lines
Breathing Space – A mental health helpline.
Tel: 0800 83 85 87; daily 6pm–2am.
Samaritans – Tel 08457 90 90 90
– 24 hour helpline for anyone in crisis.
Edinburgh Crisis Centre – Tel: 0808 801 0414
– 24 hour helpline for those with mental health difficulties.
NHS 24 – Tel: 08454 24 24 24.
Advice and information about how to look after yourself and treat
common health problems (24 hours).
Midlothian: Early Intervention Crisis Response Service
Tel: 0131 663 5533 (Mon – Fri 4–10pm; Sat & Sun
10am–4pm).
Community-based support for people in Midlothian who are
experiencing
mental health difficulties, and their carers, when they are facing
a crisis.
Midlothian: Orchard Centre Service – Health in Mind.
Tel: 0131 663 1616 (Mon-Fri 9.30am–5pm, except Tues 12.30 pm–
5pm).
Offers a wide range of information, support and activities for
people with
mental health problems.
East Lothian: CHANGES Community Health Project.
Promotes positive wellbeing, providing a resource base and
information
about support for people experiencing stress, depression, panic
attacks,
phobias and anxiety. Different types of service available, e.g.
various free
short courses such as ‘understanding anger’ and self-help
groups.
Tel: 0131 653 3977 or 3813
Web: www.changeschp.org.uk
Websites
www.glasgowsteps.com
(For further useful self-help).
www.edspace.org.uk
(Provides useful information about resources in Edinburgh).
www.mind.org.uk
(For fact sheets and mental health information).
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/documents/contentmanage/directory
(A very useful directory of national and local East Lothian
services).
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