Cycle 7 Session 32 - Anger vs Rage

Self-Reflection Questions 

WHO have you seen get hurt when a person was in a rage?  

WHAT can bring up rage inside of you? Why?

WHERE are your thoughts when rage is present?

WHY is it for your benefit to maintain control of all your emotions?

WHEN is an appropriate time when rage should be expressed?

HOW can you tell if you are being led by rage rather than logical thinking?

Anger is often misunderstood as rage. Anger is a controlled emotion that helps you to maintain boundaries and keep you safe. It can also be useful when a situation arises, and you need to be assertive or aggressive. Like any other emotion, anger is necessary for your survival.  

Rage is a perverse way of being; having an unreasonable reaction despite the consequences, which sometimes leads to violence.  Rage can have negative consequences for yourself and others if not checked.

Self-Reflection Points

• Rage can be sneaky; it can sneak into another fairly innocent emotion and cause havoc in a person's life. Rage often sneaks into places where there are unresolved/suppressed issues. 

• Anger can be taken out of its rightful place when trauma is introduced. You may be in survival or defense mode when there is no one attacking you. Now anger can quickly escalate into rage, even when a situation may not call for such an extreme emotion. Most everyday situations don’t.

• If a situation comes up and logical thinking is not your first reaction, you may be reacting from a survival or defense mode instead of responding to the actual situation. Yes, you just may be overreacting.

• How do you feel when you are around a person who has uncontrollable rage? Walking on eggshells!!!! 

• Rage is not comfortable for the person who is suffering from it. They are triggered by almost anything and can't stabilize their mood. It's hard for them to keep any type of relationships or jobs. They find it hard to maneuver through the world and take care of everyday tasks. These things, in turn, contribute to their rage. They stay on this cycle until they get help.

• If you feel you are unable to control your rage on your own, please do not hesitate to seek help from a healthcare professional, Support groups, etc. Do something!

Note: Rage can and must be addressed right away and as soon as possible by a mild-tempered, trained, and experienced professional. If you or someone you know is suffering from outbursts of uncontrolled fits of rage, go to the nearest hospital and get a psychological evaluation or call 911 or the emergency number in your area. Don’t wait for something bad to happen.

 "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls"  Proverbs 25:28 Holy Bible