'Problem anger' endemic, but largely ignored

The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) said not enough was being done to tackle the issue at an early stage. It described "problem anger" as that which was left to bubble under the surface for too long, or which led to "inappropriate aggression".

The MHF report - 'Boiling Point' - produced as part of Mental Health Action Week 2008, said outward expressions of anger appeared to be getting "more commonplace", with 45% of people regularly losing their temper at work.

The targets of such anger were often work equipment, with people hitting or screaming at their computer for example. However, the report also highlighted how abuse was being aimed at work colleagues, and that overall one in five employees had been subjected to violence at work.

An accompanying study carried out by the MHF showed that 64% of Britons believed people were getting angrier in general.

More than 80% of drivers claimed to have been involved in "road rage" incidents, while the number of "air rage" incidents had risen by 400% between 1997 and 2000.

'Powerful emotion'

The report said employers needed to be able to recognise when anger could lead to wider problems, and that awareness of support services - such as anger management groups and cognitive therapy - needed to be more widespread, throughout society as a whole.

The MHF warned that prolonged and intense anger was linked to illnesses such as heart disease and cancer, and could cause depression, self-harm and substance misuse.

The authors of the report said that despite this, problem anger was largely ignored unless someone committed a criminal act, at which point the person may be referred for treatment or therapy sessions.

Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the MHF, said: "In a society where people can get help for depression and anxiety, panic, phobia, eating disorders and a range of other psychological and emotional problems, it seems extraordinary that we are left to fend for ourselves when it comes to an emotion as powerful as anger.

"We need to be able to recognise when anger is damaging our lives, ask for help and receive it. In the media and in mainstream life we hear a lot about road rage and many other types of rage. Our polling shows that the general public understands what's going on, but as a society we have yet to tackle the issue."

He added: "It is the elephant in the room in mental health. This is not about excusing bad behaviour, but about helping individuals and communities to take responsibility."

Further information on Mental Health Action Week 2008, including links to advice on ways of tackling anger and the MHF's 'Boiling Point' report, can be found here