Transcript Document

Why Do Some Gifted Children
Have Anger Problems? What
Can I Do To Help?
Dr. Agnes Meyo
Psychologist
711 Old Ballas Road. #212
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
[email protected]
314-780-0206
Outline
• What Is Anger?
• What Stressors Typically Anger the
Gifted?
• What Are Some Unhealthy Expressions of
Anger?
• How Can We Manage This Anger?
• Summary
What is Anger?
Anger is a normal, human feeling of displeasure that can
be expressed in healthy or unhealthy ways.
When angry, the body produces an excess of adrenalin
which may cause blurred vision, dizziness, headache,
rapid heart rate, chest pain, nausea, dry mouth,
agitation, sweating, tense muscles, fidgetiness,
dissociation, clenched teeth, hyperventilation, narrowed
focus, and shallow breathing.
What Stressors Typically Anger
the Gifted?
• The gifted anger over issues related to:
– Achievement.
– Socialization.
– Academics.
– World issues.
– Natural disasters.
– Disappointing others.
– Feeling misunderstood.
What Are Some Unhealthy
Expressions of Anger?
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Temper tantrums.
Belittling/correcting others.
Yelling.
Name-calling.
Silent treatment.
Revenge.
Property destruction.
Aggression.
How Can We Manage This
Anger?
• Identification of External Events/Triggers:
– Slow pace/boredom.
– Making mistakes.
– Being ignored.
– Being bullied/teased.
– Losing at a competition.
– Perceived injustice.
– Disagreements.
How Can We Manage This
Anger?
• Identification of Internal Events:
– Muscles tighten.
– Breathing becomes shallow.
– Focus narrows.
– Face turns red.
– Sweat.
– Thoughts race.
– Heart beats faster.
How Can We Manage This
Anger?
•Practice Anger Management Strategies:
–Walk away.
–Count to 10.
–Exercise.
–Imagery.
–Cognitive Restructuring.
–“Turtle Technique.”
–Thought Stopping.
–Journaling.
–Relaxation strategies.
–Know when to seek help.
How Can We Manage This
Anger?
• Generation of a Specific Plan A to Resolve the
Problem:
– Assertiveness.
– Assistance from an adult.
– Acceptable “comebacks.”
– “Buddy System.”
– “Escape Hatch.”
– Confident body language.
– I-Statements.
How Can We Manage This
Anger?
• Generation of a Specific Plan B to Resolve the
Problem:
– Predetermine personal “boiling point.”
– Decide which strategies follow most easily.
– Plan the transition to Plan B.
– Determine when to give in/make restitution.
– Decide when to walk away without resolution.
– Practice! Practice! Practice!
Summary
• Anger is the body’s response to displeasure
and excessive adrenalin is released.
• The gifted are angered by typical stressors.
• To manage the anger in healthy ways, the
gifted need to identify the external triggers
and internal events.
• Many interventions work well for the gifted.
• Resolution of the issue requires a Plan A, a
Plan B, and practice.