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Finding a Self-Help Group
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Self-help groups and short-term structured programs provide a valuable resource for people struggling with anger management. If you’re in therapy, these groups and programs can provide excellent supplement or follow-up to professional treatment. You’ll also find them valuable if professional treatment is either not available or not affordable. Even people who do not feel their anger management problems are severe enough to warrant professional treatment often find self-help groups a valuable resource. The first place to look for a local self-help group is your telephone book. Most have a section titled “Community Services” in either the white or yellow pages. It is usually listed in the table of contents. Find this section and look under the heading, “Mental Health.” This section will list local agencies that can help you find a self-help group in your area. A local chapter of the Mental Health Association would be especially helpful. A woman’s shelter in your area would probably have a listing of self-help groups and short-term structured programs for effective anger management. If you want a group with a spiritual focus, contact the larger churches in your area to see if they sponsor groups that address your problem. If you are unable to locate any agencies that can refer you to local self-help groups, look in the yellow pages under the Headings “Mental Health Clinics,” “Psychiatrists,” “Psychologists,” “Marriage and Family Counselors,” and “Social Workers.” Under each heading see if any clinics or therapists who specialize in anger management problems are listed. If there are, call them and ask if they know of any local self-help groups. You may also want to try calling the local professional organizations of the various types of therapists to see if they can help you. After you have the names of several possible groups, identify the one that is best for you. As when selecting a therapist, find a group that matches your needs and personality. If there are several chapters of a particular group in your area, attend more than one so you get the flavor of each one. Attend at least three meetings of a particular group before you decide whether it is right for you. If any of the following areas apply to you, you may also want to consider attending a group that deals with that area.
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Substance Abuse Anger management problems are often related to substance abuse problems. Whenever this is the case, it is always necessary to deal with the substance abuse problem before progress can be made with the anger management problems. If you are currently abusing any legal or illegal drug, you need to be in treatment. You also need to become active with Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Pill Addicts Anonymous, or one of the other groups for substance abusers.
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Effects of a Dysfunctional Family A dysfunctional family is one which children have experienced one or more of the six types of child abuse described in Chapter 2. Groups that deal with issues common to people from dysfunctional families vary greatly. Often they focus on a specific type of abuse, such as sexual abuse or physical abuse. The following is a sampling of the hundreds of regional and national groups listed in the sixth edition of The Self-help Sourcebook:
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A Current Unhealthy Relationship If you currently live with or have a close relationship with someone who is a substance abuser or who abuses you mentally or physically, you will probably need help to deal with the situation. This help may have to be professional therapy. In addition, self-help groups can provide you with both the strength and the courage to act effectively, along with practical suggestions for how to handle a difficult situation. Al-Anon, the companion organization to AA is a good example of a national organization of such groups. Most large communities have local shelters for battered women that sponsor regional and local groups.
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Effects of a Major Illness or Physical Disability If you have a major illness or physical disability, addressing the issues surrounding it may be necessary in order to effectively your anger. Most major illnesses and physical disabilities have their own national or regional self-help organizations. These organizations can usually provide the latest information regarding the treatment of a particular problem and help a person accept and cope with the difficulties associated with his or her problem.
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Starting Your Own Group If there is no self-help group in your area that addresses your issues, you might want to consider starting your own. Click here for more information. (The above has been extracted from Mr. Peurifoy's books, Anxiety Phobias and Panic and Anger: Taming the Beast) |
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E-mail comments to: lrsc@rpeurifoy.com Disclaimer: This site contains general reference information and is not intended as a substitute for consulting with a physician or a psychotherapist. Copyright © 1999 by Reneau Peurifoy, MA — All Rights Reserved |