We all get angry sometimes and getting angry can be healthy. However, for some of us, anger can get out of control and potentially ruin our relationships.

Anger management is the process of learning to recognize signs that you’re becoming angry, and taking action to calm down and deal with the situation in a productive way. Anger management doesn’t try to keep you from feeling anger or encourage you to hold it in. Anger is a normal, healthy emotion when you know how to express it appropriately — anger management is about learning how to do this.

Anger management helps you recognize frustrations early and resolve them in a way that allows you to express your needs — and keeps you calm and in control.

Some signs that you need help controlling your anger include:

• Regularly feeling that you have to hold in your anger
• Persistent negative thinking and focusing on negative experiences
• Constant feelings of irritation, impatience and hostility
• Frequent arguments with others that escalate frustrations
• Physical violence, such as hitting your partner or children or starting fights
• Threats of violence against people or property
• Out-of-control or frightening behaviour, such as breaking things or driving recklessly
• Avoiding situations because of anxiety or depression about anger outbursts