JOIN USIncreasing ‘stress’ in the city have made the metropolitan dwellers act out their anger in different aspects of their life.
Experts say that not everyone expresses their anger and that there are variable ways of the expression as well. They, however, unanimously agree that the environment plays
a major role in regulating people’s moods.
Sandeep Saini (name changed) says, “I get very angry, when I feel misunderstood or when a situation seems unfair. I had been violent at times. However, after spending time in a psychiatric ward I am kind of afraid to get back to being the angry man I was. I have now learnt some ways to cope up with my impulses.”
Saini recently relapsed from his anger management therapy by getting involved in a road rage incident, where his car nearly crashed into another.
Dr Sanjana Shroff, psychologist at Max Hospital, Gurgaon says, “Everyone has a different problem that triggers anger. Travelling is in itself a stressful exercise. Additional problems like faulty traffic lights, the fear of not being able to make it on time and pre-thinking the consequences of not being able to meet your deadlines, often make people act out.”
According to Dr Shroff only certain personalities tend to overreact in situations. A person’s main personality more or less remains the same after childhood. Most of it takes shape in the early years after birth. Reactions occur due to environment’s interaction with the person’s personality. So the person is not entirely to be blamed for his actions.”
“But reacting angrily has become the most dominant way of responding in situations. The main reason that I have seen trending is the changing value system in the society. Constant competition, comparison, work, relationships are at the top of the list,” says Dr Arti Anand, psychiatrist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
According to Dr Anand, demands and desires have increased drastically. Rapid urbanisation and development in a city like Delhi, have led people to consume more than one requires. Any hurdle that comes in their way becomes a cause of frustration. “The tolerance level has become very low,” she says.
“In metropolitan cities people drink, smoke and socialise more often than one does in a village or in a less urban area. These activities sometimes force a change in a person’s personality. People keep their emotions repressed, as a result of which they may either burst out or become extremely anxious or even depressed,” says Dr Anand.
Also, one’s personality is genetically tailored and hence people react differently. But these doctors say that if anyone suffers constant anger and irritability, advice from mental health expert personally could prove beneficial.