Anger And Physical Pain, How Are They Related?

Anger and physical pain often go hand in hand. In fact, we’ve all seen how this high-intensity emotion tenses the muscles, raises the heart rate and produces that annoying knot in the stomach. Now, the truth is that this psychophysiological state -on average. It is usually quite brief, it is like a sudden explosion that, little by little, ends up losing strength.

An argument, being witnesses of something that outrages us, experiencing an injustice in our own skin … Anger warns us of those moments in which we feel threatened or violated. Feeling that our rights, integrity or identity are being attacked awakens this instinctive spring with which to react to what threatens us.

Now, the problem with this emotional state resides in two very specific aspects. The first in his mismanagement: who does not understand and regulate his anger leads to misconduct that he can regret. The second question lies in the fact that human beings very often tend to repress their anger.

It is then when somatization and physical and psychological problems arise. We analyze it below.

Anger and physical pain: when mishandling this emotion has consequences

Anger is one of the most unique emotions, and at the same time less studied. It is not until a few decades ago when neuroscience has paid attention to it to discover a series of aspects. We now know, for example, its phylogenetic origin, something that has allowed experts to conclude that this psychophysiological state has significantly mediated our survival.

It is an emotion with a great physical impact that aims to encourage us to react to an aversive stimulus. Thus, studies, such as those carried out at the University of Rome, indicate that it is a state that goes from the inside out. That is, the brain warns us that there is something to which we must react and it does so causing great physical tension so that we act in the face of what is outside.

Anger is an emotion that invites action. What he expects of us is that we act in the face of what annoys, hurts, outrages, threatens or violates our integrity. We must act in the best possible way, exercising adequate control so that this emotional response is healthy and effective. However, and here comes the problem, anger and physical pain are related because we do not know how to handle this reality.

The injustices that we do not act on (or that we cannot act on)

We could say that anger and physical pain are related because we do not act in an emotionally intelligent way in the face of what hurts, bothers or unworthy us. It is true, there are times when we lack resources and even the courage to set limits and say “no” to certain events.

However, there are circumstances to which it is not easy to respond. There are realities that unnerve and annoy, but to which we cannot respond as we would like. Examples of this are social injustice, discrimination or having a family that brings us more problems than happiness. They are realities that do not always have an easy solution.

It is very common to end up swallowing, without chewing, suffering, thoughts and frustrations. That is, to assume a passive attitude when faced with anger, when the message that he wants to convey to us is totally the opposite. This emotion wants us to act in some way and, by not doing so, physical tension, cortisol in the blood, the feeling of stress, etc., is increased.

Anger and physical pain, the problem of emotional inhibition

Chronic diseases are those that are most affected by the impact of emotions. For example, patients with chronic low back pain or neuropathies experience a worsening of their symptoms when they experience emotions such as anger.

On the other hand, studies such as those carried out at Rush University affect what we have been pointing out: the tendency to silence, inhibit and not manage anger increases the sensation of physical pain. When we do not modulate this negative valence emotion, it is very common for us to feel greater tensions, pulls and contractures in the back and neck area.

How can I handle my anger?

We know that anger and physical pain are related. We also know the data that indicate that all those people with chronic pain pathologies experience a greater intensity of their symptoms when they are gripped by rage, anger, frustration … What can we do in these cases?

• Anger management is not based exclusively on meditation or deep breathing. We need to integrate adequate emotional management techniques into our day-to-day life. Likewise, it is essential to exercise adequate control of thoughts. Negative self-talk is always the engine that intensifies discomfort.

• On the other hand, problem solving techniques will be very practical for us. Knowing how to deal with a complicated situation, knowing what skills to apply and what skills can serve us is something ideal.

Also, and to conclude, approaches such as acceptance and commitment therapy are very useful to assume many of those things that are beyond our control and that we must accept. Clarifying our values ​​and setting new goals on the horizon can also help us reduce the impact of anger and emotional and physical pain.