ALIGN COUNSELING

Anger is a natural, human emotion—but many of us were never taught how to express it in a way that feels safe, effective, or constructive. We may either suppress it until it explodes or express it in ways we later regret. But the goal isn’t to eliminate anger—it’s to learn how to honor it without losing control.

When we think of depression, we often picture sadness, fatigue, or hopelessness. But for many people, anger—not tears—is the emotion that shows up first. This can be confusing and even isolating, especially when it doesn’t fit the typical image of what depression is “supposed” to look like.

Have you ever found yourself reacting with sudden, intense anger—and later wondered, “Where did that even come from?” Maybe it felt out of proportion to the situation. Maybe you felt out of control in the moment. If this sounds familiar, unresolved trauma could be playing a role.

Anger is a natural, human emotion—but when it feels overwhelming or hard to control, it can harm our relationships, work, and well-being. One of the most powerful tools for managing anger is learning to recognize what triggers it—and how to respond before it takes over.

Anger often gets a bad reputation. Many of us grow up being taught that anger is something to avoid, suppress, or feel ashamed of. But the truth is, anger is a normal, healthy emotion—one that can serve an important purpose when understood and expressed constructively. Let’s explore what anger really is, where it comes from, and how learning to work with it (rather than fight it) can lead to greater emotional balance and self-awareness.