Why do you tend to fly off the handle more than others seem to? Anger responses can become habitual. That is, you may respond automatically to a situation that makes you angry, with little pause to think about your reactions. The intensity of your anger may even catch you by surprise.

How do you express your anger? Consider these questions to assess your anger responses:

* Do you express anger in a way that overwhelms you and others?
* Do you get angry more often than most people you know?
* Do you get angrier than is necessary?
* Do you use threatening language or gestures?
* Do you get angry enough to hit, throw or kick things, people or animals?
* Do you seethe for hours?
* Do you hide angry feelings from others or try to suppress your feelings?
* Do you use alcohol or drugs to calm your rage?
* Do you experience physical reactions such as muscle tension or a racing heart when you get angry?
* Does expressing your anger usually leave you feeling better about yourself and the person who angered you?

Identify the ways you express anger to help you determine if you need to change how you respond to upsetting situations. You may react too aggressively or even too passively. In either case, you can learn new methods to replace old, unhealthy habits. If your level of anger is high or you tend to express anger in an unhealthy way, make plans to deal with your anger.