Why Anger Management Is A Myth, with Nick Wignall

Do you struggle with anger issues? If so, you are not alone. Many dads share this problem. But as psychologist Nick Wignall explains, anger is not the real issue and the concept of anger management is a bad idea.

Anger, like other emotions, is not something you can control. So trying to manage anger doesn’t work. 

A better strategy is to accept the emotion, validate it and try to manage how you react to it. It’s a subtle difference, but a very important one. 

In this interview, we discuss why dads often get overwhelmed with anger and react in negative ways such as yelling, becoming physically aggressive or ruminating and having negative thoughts. 

Nick provides some practical advice on how to deal with anger more effectively and how to teach your kids to deal with their anger.

This interview is a must-listen for anyone who struggles with anger or has children who are learning to deal with anger. 

What you’ll learn

• Why anger management is a myth
• Why so many dads feel overwhelmed by anger
• How we respond to anger in negative ways such as verbal aggression
• Why releasing your anger and ‘letting it out’ is a bad strategy
• How to accept your anger and manage your aggression
• How to break the cycle of ruminating 
• How to help your kids deal with anger in a positive way
• The 2 habits every dad should practise with their kids
• Why men are less likely to seek therapy compared to women
• Different types of therapy and how to choose the right one for you

More information
Show notes and references for this episode are available at https://thedadtrain.com/12

The Dad Train Feeling Wheel - a tool for improving emotional literacy, is available for download from https://thedadtrain.com/feelingwheel