People who are hostile or angry for longer periods of time
are more at risk of health problems, according to a review
of recent literature on anger and health.
Does chronic anger really affect health? "Scientists now
are pretty confident that it does," Dr. John Swartzberg
of the University of California, Berkeley, stated.
According to the university's Wellness Letter, preliminary
evidence suggests that chronic anger may weaken the immune
system and cause other health problems, perhaps by triggering
bad habits such as smoking and drinking, or by boosting
stress hormones, which may affect immunity.
Swartzberg edited the report. In an interview, he noted
that he and his colleagues decided to assemble an article
about anger and health following recent studies that investigated
this relationship. In addition, global events and news of
fights at sporting events demonstrate that "there's a lot
of anger in the world today," he commented.
The report describes two recent studies that found hostility
can increase the risk of dying, among both men with risk
factors for cardiovascular disease and postmenopausal women
with heart disease, among whom hostility also increased
the risk of a second heart attack.
Another study showed that nearly 40 percent of people who
had the most common type of stroke, called ischemic stroke,
had felt angry or experienced something upsetting within
two hours before the event.
In terms of treating anger, Swartzberg had several recommendations.
Try to find the source of the anger, he advised, and take
steps to change circumstances that contribute to it. Try
relaxation therapy or meditation to quiet the body, he suggested.
Think about how to satisfy needs in a constructive way,
and consider therapy, he said.
Swartzberg added that research also shows that anger management
courses can help -- but only if people volunteer for them,
not if they are forced to attend, suggesting that "motivation"
is a big factor.
"We're not helpless in the face of this," he said. "There
are things we can do."
SOURCE: UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, July 2005.
