Alec Baldwin’s now infamous voicemail to his daughter reveals on the surface poisonous anger which seems to grip this well known movie star. However, there are deeper issues that may need to be addressed. The voicemail also reveals a man in pain, in a state of chaos, unable to find an appropriate vehicle to express his true emotions. What do I mean? Anger is a secondary emotion that is 100 percent of the time driven by some emotion like fear, disappointment, feeling used, disrespected or mistreated. These intense emotions if not handled correctly can end in an explode episode as we all witnessed with Alec Baldwin. No matter the intensity of the emotions, it is the individual’s responsibility to manage their own anger therefore the latter maybe an explanations for Mr. Baldwin’s behavior but not an excuse. Feuding couples often have children in the middle of this conflict and inevitably not only are these children hurt emotionally by the feuding but many develop problems with anger. As a rule, couples who are involved in contemptuous divorces seem to be prone to unbridled anger and should seek anger management. This intervention may help to:
• Improve communication between couples • Improve stress management • Reduce the negative impact on children • Improve conflict management
If for no other reason but for the sake of the children, feuding couples nationwide should give serious consideration to anger management. It is an ideal tool to assist in navigating the emotions associated with divorce as well as reducing the possible emotional fallout that can be meted out on children who often become collateral damage in the divorce. For an anger management provider in your area visit www.anger-management-resources.org.
Carlos Todd, LPC, NCC, CAMF
President of the American Association of Anger Management Providers
Carlos Todd is an Anderson and Anderson Anger management provider in North Carolina
www.angerhurts.com www.angeronmymind.com www.aaamp.org www.andersonservices.com www.anger-management-resources.org
