Anger issues

[movie_girl99]

How does one go about finding anger management classes or groups without being court ordered. I was seeing a counselor a year or so ago for depression/anxiety. I was also taking Effexor. For the first few months I felt pretty good. My anxiety was better and the physical aches and pains of depression had gone away. ABout 6 months in I quit seeing the counselor because I really didn't feel it was helping. She kept having me role play as if I was speaking to my mother directly,who I have deep seeded anger toward but she'll never know because I cant confront her. I can and do confront just about everyone else but not her.I also have an ex husband that i'd love to use for shark bait but that's a whole other story.

A few months ago I weaned myself off the Effexor after being on it for almost one year and joined a gym and began a regular program to get healthy physically. I have lost 15 pounds and feel fantastic. The gym has been a great stress reliever but i still fly off the handle and get so pissed at the stupidest things. I'm not violent I just rant and rave then 10 minutes later i'm fine. I would really like to find a group of others like myself who have anger issues but don't deal with them. Any suggestions.

[DemExpat]

1. Anger is tough for me also....but I think you are doing very well

taking care of yourself physically too!

I can only suggest that you do search for a counselor or therapist (or go back to your previous one) to help you with this. Just a thought that it does take some time to work through deep-seated feelings like these, and perhaps you felt it was futile because it was taking so long.....

I got my most useful insights after several years of therapy. I also finally was able to accept my Mom and even forgive her for her own weaknesses and shortcomings that affected me so. Six months before she died I was able to honestly tell her how I experienced her as a Mom, but that I loved her regardless, and was grateful for her giving me life. This gave us both some much needed peace.

As I don't live in the US I don't know of anger management courses or classes - hopefully some others here will.

All the best,

DemEx

[mopinko]

2. just want to ditto de and add

that finding the right therapist is probably about as hard as finding the right lover. maybe they are vetted a little, but you just have to keep looking.
as a really imperfect mom, as well as an imperfect daughter, it always plucks my heart strings to hear someone who feels so damaged by their mom. i certainly cannot judge your situation. i just urge you to keep working on it. that is a horrible burden to bear for both of you. i hope you find peace.

[qb]

3. Try googling "family anger (your city)"

This might turn up some good links (most of the anger management resources I have seen are through family-oriented agencies).