Anger Management University of Maryland Baltimore Prince Georges

Anger Management: University of Maryland, Baltimore Prince George’s School Mental Health Initiative Cynthia Cook, LCSW-C, Clinician Ethel Johnson, Celso Santizo, Parent Liaisons Kettering Middle School Parents Assisting Teachers May 7, 2009 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org

Prince George’s County Board of Education Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq. , Chair Ron L. Watson, Jr. , Ph. D. , Vice Chair Donna Hathaway Beck Pat J. Fletcher Heather Iliff R. Owen Johnson, Jr. Rosalind A. Johnson Linda Thornton Thomas Amber P. Waller Haywood L. Perry, III, Student Member WILLIAM R. HITE, JR. , ED. D. Interim Superintendent PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 2

Objectives • To identify the three myths of anger and ways to combat those myths • To identify physical indicators of anger • To identify different intensities of anger • To identify triggers for anger • To identify positive coping strategies PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 3

Anger Management • Purpose: Provide information to parents in collaboration with the parent liaisons and PGSMHI. • Process: Presentation will be delivered to parents on May 7, 2009. • Payoff: Family, school, business, and community relationships will be strengthened to support student achievement. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 4

Three Myths of Anger: True and False 1. You are born with your anger and you can’t change the way you deal with it. 2. Aggression/fighting is the only way to deal with anger. 3. You have to be aggressive to get what you need or want Adapted from: Reilly PM, Shopshine MS, Durazzo TC, and Cambell TA, Anger Management for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Clients; Participant Workbook, DHHS Pub. No (SMA) 02 -3622. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 5

Three Myths of Anger: True and False 1. True. You have learned how to show your anger over time. You can learn other healthier ways to express anger. 2. True. There are other ways to deal with anger like: • Learning how to control how much anger you have • Learning how to talk about what angers you • Learning to think about things differently and check your thoughts to see if they are right • Learn tools to handle and express your anger 3. True. You can get people to hear what you want or need without harming others or acting in a way you will feel bad about later. This is called being assertive. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 6

Physical Indicators of Anger • Physical indicators are different for each individual. • Identifying physical indicators can help an individual know that its time to do something to calm down. • Identifying physical indicators can help an individual see how anger and stress can be unhealthy. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 7

Physical Indicators of Anger • • • • Flushed face Increased heart rate Higher blood pressure Dilated pupils Heavy breathing Sweaty hands/feeling hot Clenched fists/tightened muscles Stomach aches Headaches Increased adrenaline flow Numbness Difficulty thinking Shaking or trembling PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 8

Intensity of Anger: Using the Anger Meter • Anger has different levels of intensity • Identifying the level of intensity of anger is used to help promote self awareness and determine when calming strategies need to begin. • It is helpful to identify how an individual would feel at each intensity level. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 9

What triggers the anger? • Each individual has different people, places, things or events which trigger anger. • Knowing triggers can help an individual prepare a plan to feel better, think better, and choose more healthy actions to deal with anger. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 11

My Triggers 1. ____________ 2. ____________ 3. ____________ 4. ____________ 5. ____________ PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 12

Positive Coping Strategies • • • Deal with it! Deep breathing Muscle relaxation Imagery Positive self-talk PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 13

Deal With It! • What are some positive things you can do to help you deal with your anger? PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 14

Deep Breathing • Take a really deep breath. • Bring the air all the way into the bottom of your lungs near your stomach • Breathe in through your nose. • Hold for 2 seconds. • Breathe out through your mouth for 4 seconds. • Practice! PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 15

Muscle Relaxation • Starting with toes, tighten muscles and hold for a count of 5. • Relax • Continue to tighten and relax progressively with lower legs, thighs, rear, arms, shoulders, face. • Tighten all muscles and relax. • Notice the difference! PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 16

Imagery • Imagine a place you enjoy being – beach, quiet spot, special room. • Picture sights, sounds, smells, temperature. • Helps to get thoughts away from what is getting you angry. • Helps to remind yourself that you are in control of what you think and imagine. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 17

Positive Self-Talk • Talk to yourself! • Think: My problem will not be as bad tomorrow/next week. • Think: I will get through this. • Think: I can make it. • Think of advice you would give your best friend in this situation. • Think of something happy/laugh. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 18

Let’s Make a Choice! What Happened? Aggressive Behavior Alternative Positive Behavior Choice: Now Later + + - - Why? PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 19

Resources • www. schoolmentalhealth. org • www. healthofchildren. com/A/Aggressive. Behavior • www. bettermyworld. org/videos • www. mayoclinic. com/health/angermanagement/MH 00073 • www. apa. org/topics/controlanger PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www. pgcps. org 20