Anger often begins as a tightness in the chest, an unrelenting pulse that echoes in your ears, spreading like wildfire through your body. Muscles tense, breaths quicken, and an electric energy courses through you, demanding release. This intense emotion, though often stigmatized as “bad” or “shameful,” is a natural human response. Yet societal norms, particularly for women and children, discourage open expression, leading many to suppress or deny their anger.
However, therapists emphasize that confronting and understanding anger is vital for emotional healing and personal development.
“Anger is an essential emotional checkpoint during the healing process,” explains Dr. Alexandre Machado, a clinical neuropsychologist at Medcare Camali Clinic in the UAE. “It highlights feelings of powerlessness, injustice, or unmet needs and often signals that personal boundaries have been crossed. Anger can motivate individuals to seek change and assert their rights, fostering empowerment.”
The Role of Anger in Healing
One Dubai resident shared how embracing her anger became a turning point in her journey to emotional well-being. Growing up in a household where emotions were dismissed, she developed anxiety and depression as an adult. Initially, she turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms to numb her pain, but therapy helped her confront her buried emotions.
“At first, I was ashamed of my anger,” she said. “I thought it made me weak or overly emotional. But my therapist helped me see that anger wasn’t the problem — it was how I dealt with it that mattered.”
Her therapist, Dr. Bushra Khan, a transformational coach at Wellth in Dubai, explained that anger often arises as individuals process trauma or reclaim their voice.
“Anger is a sign that someone is beginning to confront painful truths,” said Dr. Khan. “It’s not a roadblock; it’s a breakthrough. In therapy, repressed anger can surface as part of the process of becoming more self-aware and addressing long-avoided issues.”
Distinguishing Healthy and Destructive Anger
Not all anger is constructive. Dr. Machado distinguishes between:
- Healthy Anger: Drives positive change, respects boundaries, and leads to constructive problem-solving.
- Destructive Anger: Manifests as aggression, blame, or control, keeping individuals stuck in resentment and creating further conflict.
“To differentiate, ask yourself: Does this anger lead to resolution or conflict?” he advises.
Productively channeling anger fosters emotional regulation, better communication, and healthier relationships. It can also increase self-awareness and resilience, empowering individuals to face future challenges effectively.
Therapeutic Approaches to Anger
Therapists often use methods like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Gestalt Therapy to help individuals recognize and process anger. These approaches position anger as a transformative force for setting boundaries, addressing unresolved issues, and reclaiming personal power.
“Feeling overwhelmed by anger during therapy is common,” said Dr. Khan. “It’s a sign you’re processing emotions that were once repressed. It’s not failure — it’s progress.”
A New Perspective on Anger
The Dubai resident now sees anger as a valuable part of her emotional toolkit.
“Therapy has shown me that anger, when expressed healthily, is a tool for growth,” she shared. “I’ve learned to regulate my emotions, express anger appropriately, and appreciate it as a catalyst for living a fuller, more authentic life.”
By embracing anger as a natural emotion, individuals can transform it into a powerful ally on their journey to healing and self-discovery.
