Anger: Causes and Corrections

In the last month I have lost my temper three times. Greater than lost: I was belligerent, bellicose, bombastic, confrontational, contentious, combative. What's going on here? I considered this list:

• Gunny sacking---chronic suppressed anger that accumulates for a long period of time culminating into explosive angry outbursts.
• Fear---road rage is a good example. A car pulls dangerously in front of you causing unconscious fear that is expressed as anger. Of course there are other causes of road rage: Type A personality, a competitive nature, frustration at traffic, or maybe you are  simply a jerk. 
• There are other causes of fear anger. You may be afraid that you are inadequate or you are threatened in some way. 
• You are thinned skinned---criticism from others or fear of criticism.
• You were raised by parents who abused you or served as an anger model.
• You have a genetic predisposition for anger.
• People that are difficult for you to get along with.
• Remembering that your teachers told you not to dangle participles.
• Bipolar disorder---an excess of chemicals in your brain.
• Depression---a depletion of certain chemicals in your brain.
• Drugs or alcohol
• Narcissistic, or borderline personality disorder
• Posttraumatic stress disorder
• Hypersensitivity to rejection
• Brain tumor
• Perfectionism and failure to live up to your expectations
• Dementia as in Alzheimer's disease. Although half of individuals with dementia have Alzheimer's, there are approximately 70 other diseases that can cause dementia. 
• Fear of abandonment by family or friends.
• Politicians and other absurd people.
• Resentment toward friends or family. 
• Family or economic stress
• Burn-out or work overload

I hope my anger was generated by overwork. Although I am semiretired and work only of Tuesdays and Wednesdays my hours are long---sometimes 12 hours, then there are numerous patient and family calls, plus I am getting old and can't work as hard as I used to. There are other contributors to my angry outbursts. I'll let you guess which ones. Please don't guess Alzheimer's.

What to do about anger:

• Determine the cause of your anger and do something about it.
• Knowing your tendencies and watching for them.
• Practicing meditation, yoga or other like calming methods.
• Exercising---vigorously.
• Rest and relaxation
• A vacation
• Forgiveness of others and self
• Cosmic humor---not taking yourself so seriously and laughing at yourself and your mistakes. 
• Treating yourself with kindness.
• Empathy and being kind to others
• Avoiding jerks
• Walking away.
• Counting to 10.
• Mood stabilizers or other appropriate medications
• Bible study
• Prayer

I better begin working on these techniques. Anger is no fun. It makes enemies. And rather than reliving stress it engenders guilt, frustration, self-loathing and a bunch of other negative feelings.