Anger and Health

The effects of anger on health have more to doheart disease, cancer, depression, anxiety disorders,
with duration than frequency and intensity. Theand, in general, depresses the immune system (angry
normal experience of overt anger lasts only a fewpeople have lots of little aches and pains or get a lot
minutes. But the subtle forms of anger, such asof colds and bouts of flu or headaches or upset
resentment, impatience, irritability, grouchiness, etc.,stomachs). To make matters worse, angry people
can go on for hours and days at a time. Consistent,tend to seek relief from the ill-moods caused by
prolonged levels of anger give a person a five timesanger through other health-endangering habits, such
greater chance of dying before age 50. Angeras smoking and drinking, or through compulsive
elevates blood pressure, increases threat of stroke,behavior such as workaholism and perfectionism.