Do social interactions make you irritable? Has anyone ever told you that you have an anger problem? Everyday setbacks and people we interact with can give us reasons to be angry.
Although these feelings are normal, they have unhealthy consequences and can lead to domestic violence, divorce, the trauma of loved ones, depression, grief, anxiety, loss of employment, financial hardship, dysfunctional families, and in the worst-case physical injuries, death, or imprisonment.
Learn how to overcome and control anger
If you want to learn how to overcome challenges more easily and relate to people in difficult situations, or simply feel better there is a VA-recommended course for you, called Anger and Irritability Management Skills (AIMS).
AIMS uses scientifically proven methods to help you learn to get through tough times. The program is interactive and full of veterans sharing their personal stories using a program to learn better control of their anger and emotions. Read all about the AIMS Corse at the VA’s AIMS webpage https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/aims/index.asp.
The AIMS is 100% free, anonymous, and requires no registration and zero personal information.
Veterans and their family members can access the AIMS Course at https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/aims/index.asp from their computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Veterans and their family members can take the program anyplace, anytime. Veterans can even find the AIMS Application at the GOGGLE PLAY Store or the APPLE APP STORE.
People, and life, can give you plenty of reasons to be upset, but you do not have to let those emotions control you. AIMS can help. For more information about the AIMS Course go towww.VeteranTraining.VA.Gov/aims.
AIMS will help
Taking the AIMS Course will help veterans to get along better with people, help control their reactions to irritating events, and help them avoid the negative consequences of becoming too angry.
The AIMS Course and the VA link https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/aims/index.asp includes a short quiz to learn if you experience the negative consequences of irritability and anger. AIMS will help those taking the course to develop an anger control plan. The course has a link to allow access to course assignments and the documents and worksheets available in the AIMS course.
Videos and other resources
The AIMS Course also offers dozens of videos available (like Using Deep Breathing) and an opportunity to replay the games in the course to refresh the skills learned in the course. Finally, the AIMS Course and the VA link https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/aims/index.asp provides the person taking the course a link with a list of helpful resources and a guide (AIMS Guidebook) that will assist anyone who wants to encourage a veteran taking the AIMS Course.
Spreading the word about AIMS, FAQs, and feedback provisions
Other helpful features at https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/aims/index.asp, at the AIMS Course site, include a FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION (FAQ) button, a SPREAD THE WORD button, a FEEDBACK button, and an ABOUT THE PROJECT button.
AIMS is for families and caregivers, too
While VA Training Resources like the AIMS Course were designed based on the experiences of veterans and service members, they can be helpful for anyone who is looking for help learning problem-solving skills, managing anger, or dealing with parenting issues. The resources may be specifically helpful for the caregivers or loved ones of Veterans.
Although the AIMS course may help veterans and their families with their difficulties, they are not intended to replace treatment by a healthcare professional.
How to schedule a VA Mental Healthcare appointment
If a veteran is already using VA medical services, he or she can ask their primary care provider (or a specialty care provider) to help make an appointment with a VA mental health provider. If a veteran is not already using VA medical services, veterans should contact the nearest VA medical center or Vet Center to talk about their needs.
Veterans can find the nearest VA location or in-network provider by using the online search tool at the VA’s FIND VA LOCATIONS site at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Health Care System’s Mental health phone number is 843-789-7311. For more information on scheduling a VA healthcare appointment, visit https://www.va.gov/health/appointments.asp.
Anger and irritability are PTSD Symptoms
According to the VA (https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/related/anger.asp), anger and irritability are hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD. High levels of anger are related to a natural survival instinct of fight or flight. When faced with an extreme threat, people often respond with anger. Anger can help a person survive by shifting his or her focus. The person focuses all of their attention, thought, and action toward survival.
Anger is also a common response to events that seem unfair or in which a veteran (and others) has been made a victim. Research shows anger can be especially common if a person has been betrayed by others. This may be most often seen in cases of trauma that involve exploitation or violence.
In people with PTSD, their response to extreme threats can become “stuck.” This may lead to responding to all stress in survival mode. If a person has PTSD, they may be more likely to react to ANY STRESS with “full activation.” They may react as if their life is threatened. This automatic response of irritability and anger in those with PTSD can create serious problems in the workplace and in family life.
AIMS Course does not fulfill court requirements
The AIMS course does not offer a “certificate of completion” and is not designed to fulfill court requirements.
The bottom line
If veterans want to get along better with people, control reactions to irritating events, and avoid the negative consequences of becoming too angry, they should try taking the AIMS Course. If the AIMS course does not help the veteran should make an appointment with their nearest VA Mental Health Facility.
Crisis Help Options
If you are a veteran in crisis or concerned about another veteran connect with a qualified Veteran Crisis Responder or get help by:
Calling the VA’s Veterans Crisis Line at “988”, then press “1” to speak with a responder qualified to support veterans. Veterans can also text 838255 or chat online with the Veterans Crisis Line. If you have hearing loss, call 800-799-4899,
Going to your nearest VA medical center. It does not matter what your discharge status is or if you are enrolled in VA health care.
If you are in the Lowcountry of SC or GA, Call the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center’s main number at 843-577-5011 or the Mental Health Clinic at 843-789-7311.
Calling 911.
Going to the nearest emergency room.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
