Aggression

Aggressive behaviour can cause physical or emotional harm to others. It may range from verbal abuse to physical abuse. It can also involve harming personal property.

Aggressive behaviour violates social boundaries. Occasional aggressive outbursts are common and even normal in right circumstances. However, you should speak to your doctor if you experience aggressive behaviour frequently or in patterns. When you engage in aggressive behaviour, you may feel irritable or restless. You may feel being impulsive. You may find it hard to control your behaviour.

Aggression can be distressing or harmful to the recipient. Types of behaviour that may be considered aggressive include:

• Shouting
• Personal insult
• Racial or sexual comments
• Verbal threats
• Posturing or threatening gestures
• Abusive phone calls, letters or online messages
• Other forms of harassment
• Emotional abuse
• Sarcasm

It is important to understand the cause of your aggressive behaviour this can help you address it.Many things can shape your behaviour. These can include:

• Physical health
• Mental health
• Family structure
• Relationship with others
• Work or school environment
• Individual traits
• Life experiences

As an adult, you might act aggressively in response to negative experiences. For example, you might get aggressive when you feel frustrated. Your aggressive behaviour may also be linked to depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions.

Aggression is overlooked in children, but it should not be. Aggression in children can be caused by several factors. These can include:

• Poor relationship skills
• Underlying health conditions
• Stress or frustration

Your child might imitate aggressive or violent behaviour that they see in their daily life. They may receive attention for it from family members, teachers or friends. You can accidentally encourage it by ignoring or rewarding these aggressive behaviours.

Sometimes, children lash out due to fear or suspicion. Children may act aggressive when they have trouble coping with their emotions. They might find it hard to deal with frustration. Show empathy towards them and try to figure out the cause of their aggression.

General Skills for Handling Children’s Aggressive Behaviour:

• Model non-aggressive behaviour. Be calm when dealing with children who are upset. Keep your voice level and firm, your movements controlled, and look at the children.
• Eliminate aggressive materials. Do not purchase toy weapons for your setting or allow children to bring them from home.
• Manage materials to minimise potential frustration among children.
• Praise children when their behaviour is appropriate.
• Make it clear that aggression is unacceptable.

Aggression only breeds more aggression. It only creates more fear and anger.

-Margaret J. Wheatley

If you do not deal with aggression, it can lead to more aggressive and violent behaviour. However, there are treatment options available for aggressive behaviour. Following your doctor’s recommended treatment plan may help you gain control, before you cause harm to yourself or others.

Aggressive behaviour rarely happens without a reason. Identifying the root cause of aggression can help you avoid situations that trigger it. Talk therapy is a good way to help you understand the cause of your aggression. It can also help you work through negative feelings.

In dealing with aggression, it is important to respond appropriately. Responding angrily will certainly escalate the situation and make it harder to diffuse.

If you are going to deal effectively with aggression in others it is important that you understand and can manage your own emotional responses.

We all want to be listened to, especially when you are talking about something that is important to us. One of the main triggers of aggression is a feeling of frustration or anger which may arouse when not being listened. It is important to allow the other person to express themselves fully. Listen to what they have to say and encourage them to tell you the problem. An open, friendly approach helps to define your relationship as a supportive one, rather than one of confrontation. Show empathy and understand about their situation.

It is very important to help your near and dear ones cope up with their aggressive behaviour as it only causes harm and more aggression.