A Behavioural Approach to Anger: All Behaviour Serves a Purpose

  • by glarehab
  • Aug 25, 2013
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A Behavioural Approach to Anger: All Behaviour Serves a Purpose

People recovering from a traumatic injury are under enormous pressure. They are often thrown into a life of chronic pain, isolation, financial burden, challenging rehab, and family difficulties. While it is normal to experience anger, it requires attention when it interferes with recovery and daily living.

When presented with the task of helping an individual with “anger issues” as a behavior therapist my first goal is to break down the label “anger” or “aggression”.  Often clients will say “I fly off the handle at things that never bothered me before” or “I can’t control my temper”. While these are true statements, they don’t give me enough information to help in a meaningful way.  I need DETAILS.

DEFINE

The first step to modifying anger is to operationally define it. In other words, what does an angry outburst look like in a specific individual? Operationally defining behavior is important since anger can be expressed in a multitude of ways. For instance, an individual may become extremely quiet when angry or they may express anger by yelling, hitting, or physical changes such as rapid breathing, and flushing.

STUDY

Once we have figured out what anger looks like we can begin to study it. Collecting ABC data (Antecedent- Behavior- Consequence) a pattern often emerges. A client is encouraged to report what was happening before: thoughts/ or actions (antecedent) the angry outburst (behaviour), and then what happened after (consequence). Family members or caregivers are often responsible for collecting this information. This information is helpful in identifying a functional relationship between the behaviour and its reinforcing properties.

EXAMPLE:  An angry outburst occurs at a high frequency when a person is given a difficult cognitive task. The consequence of the angry outburst is avoiding the task.

The process of identifying when the behavior is most likely to happen is referred to as triggers. Being able to predict the environment of when behaviour will occur is crucial when applying treatment strategies. Possible triggers of anger could be frustration, fatigue and pain.

COPE

When the function of the behaviour and triggers are identified strategies can be introduced. Techniques such as Behavioural Skills Training proves to be very useful in helping reduce socially inappropriate behaviour.  This training includes role-play, rehearsal and feedback. This process teaches new ways of dealing with frustration. When a person is aware of specific situations that “sets them off” they can problem solve and make a plans to stay in control.  Plans can vary from simple to complex.

Relaxation Training is also a popular method of decreasing aggression. Progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing and visualization can reduce the magnitude or frequency of outbursts. A person who becomes fatiguedwhen completing challenging tasks is encouraged to take mini-breaks using the relaxation tools.

BOTTOM LINE

People recovering from a traumatic injury are under enormous stress and there are many different reasons for “losing your cool”.  Sometimes these reasons are not obvious and a closer look at ones’ surroundings is needed.  Being mindful of the environment, identifying triggers and providing strategies are ways that a behavioural therapist can help manage aggression.

Behaviour therapists at GLA are highly skilled at helping clients to overcome anger. Please call us for more information about behaviour therapy or to make a referral.

Written by: Jennifer Phyper  BSc, BST, Behavioural Therapist

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Seven Ways to Beat the Heat this Summer in the GTA

  • by glarehab
  • Aug 07, 2013
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Seven Ways to Beat the Heat this Summer in the GTA

Happy Summer!  We are fortunate in Ontario to have a few beautiful months of summer weather but sometimes it can be difficult to think of new and fun activities to beat the heat and to stay active.  If you’ve used up all your good ideas for summer activities – than read on for seven great ways to make the most of summer!

Picnic in High Park – This long lost form of relaxation can be revived with minimal planning and effort, leaving you more time to breathe in the fresh air and decompress when the city becomes too much. Access the park from Keele Station (Bloor Subway line) and find the perfect spot to stretch out and take in the beauty of the park. If driving, the entrance from Parkside Drive (east side of park) offers visitors ample parking, a playground and washrooms. Packing essentials include: a blanket, snacks, sandwiches, beverages (my favorite is iced tea) and a Frisbee or board game. Sun protection is also a must!

Brunch on a patio – For a few short months a year we get to share in the simplicity of an unhurried meal where savoring the food is as important as the satiated feeling afterwards. Patio dining is often a barrier-free way to experience a restaurant that may not yet be renovated yet for those with physical limitations. Go online to find restaurants in your area or ask a friend for suggestions.

Meditate by the Humber River – Self-Reflection has always gone hand-in-hand with water. Whether it is the power and cacophony of the ocean, the tranquility and peace found on a lake or the fresh and excitable movements of a river, humans have always gravitated toward the waters for introspection. Visit the Humber River or any body of water and soak up whatever message that watery whisper has for you. For more information on the history and geography behind the Humber River as well as methods to access it, visit the Humber River website. For an iOS/Android app to guide you through deep breathing exercises try Pranyama

Visit a Farmer’s Market –  Support local farmers, hear about the benefits and challenges of being an Ontario farmer and taste some of the freshest produce available. All this and more can be found at your local Farmer’s Market. Take along a caddy to wheel it all home as you will be leaving with some amazing (and amazingly good for you) food. For a list of Farmers Markets in your area, visit Farmers Markets Ontario.

Take in a Movie (or two or three) at the Drive-In Theatre – Go back a few decades to when gasoline was cheap and undeveloped land was plentiful and the summer schedule always included a few nights at the Drive-In. Bring a blanket, a few collapsible chairs and all the snacks you like, but get there early! There’s little worse than being blocked out in the back of the lot by a pick-up truck that looks like NASA just brought it back from a Mars mission! Here are links to three of the many drive-ins in Ontario.

Barrie:  Sunset Barrie

Toronto: Polson Pier

Oakville: 5 Drive In

Groove to a free Outdoor Concert – Outdoor concerts offer access to everyone who enjoys music and entertainment as well as a relaxing opportunity to take in a beautiful summer’s night. Bring along some food and a blanket to make a comfortable area for you and your group. Blow bubbles or inflate a beach ball (depending on the type of music of course) to infuse that open feeling of space into the area. Toronto Harbourfront Centre is host to a variety of free concerts this summer. Visit their website for more information.

Participate in the Brain Injury Society of Toronto Run – The BIST “Run, Walk and Roll” is a fundraiser celebrating the great work BIST is doing to support survivors of brain injury. People of all fitness levels are welcome to participate! This year the race will be held on Saturday, September 21st  at Sunnybrook Park. Galit Liffshiz and Associates is a sponsor of the event and many of our staff will be there – either running or cheering! I hope to see you along the route! For more information please visit www.bistrun.ca

By: Sean McGhie, Rehabilitation Therapist, GLA

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