Rage and anger problems can get in the way of forming healthy relationships, pursuing a fulfilling career, or even doing the daily tasks of living like maintaining a budget, washing the dishes, and getting a good night’s sleep. Noticing that your anger has started to become a problem that impacts different areas of your life is the first step to turning your life around. However, you won’t be able to completely transform your life and mind just by acknowledging the issue. You’ll have to do something about it to change for the better.
Before you can get help for your anger, you’ll need to think about what you can afford. Some people may have plenty of resources to divert to anger counseling, while others may need to choose low-cost or free treatment options. The good news is that there’s a range of price points for anger management services, so you should be able to at least get some assistance even if you can’t afford the therapist of your dreams on your current income.
Anger Is on the Rise
According to NPR, about 84% of people who participated in a survey expressed the sentiment that the American people have a higher prevalence of anger today than they did in one generation in the past. While this statistic may be subjective, it points to a problem that many people are noticing in our society. If you feel like you’re angrier than others in older generations, you’re not alone and you deserve to get help with managing your problem from a professional you can afford.
With an increase in anger levels comes an increase in professionals who are equipped to teach anger management skills. If you’ve been referred to anger management services through the court system, you may be able to get your probation officer or another official to refer you to low-cost programs. You might also be able to find programs for anger management group therapy, which can be less expensive than individual therapy.
Anger Isn’t Always the Primary Problem
Sometimes, people struggle with anger because they have other conditions like anxiety, depression, or OCD. According to the NAMI, also known as the National Insititute of Mental Health, approximately 1.2% of adult citizens of the U.S. lived with OCD in the past year, so it’s not as rare as it could be. If you have a mental health condition and you see a therapist you can afford, you may be able to work with that professional on managing your anger and building up a “toolbox” of skills to address this issue if that therapist is skilled in that area of expertise.
If you have a substance use disorder, you may also find that you struggle with anger on top of symptoms related to substance use. When you use Schedule II drugs like methadone, cocaine, codeine, and other opiate drugs, you may find that you have a harder time managing your anger. If that’s the case, it can be beneficial to work with a therapist and treatment team to get your substance use under control before you attempt to address the anger issues that may come up as a result of using substances. While every situation is different, you should advocate for your mental health needs and ask for more resources or care if your current treatment isn’t enough.
Many folks who struggle with anger and related issues find that speaking with an anger management therapist can be a helpful way to get feedback about your anger and process the root of the anger. What’s more, an anger management therapist or group can teach you the skills you need to effectively deal with your aggressive feelings. Instead of doing what you’ve always done, you can try a new way by seeking out an anger management therapist or counselor in your budget.