Anger Management and Decision Making
Suggested lead: Most Americans are finding ways to deal with the anger following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, but how our leaders handle their anger could determine the future of our country.
Duke University Medical Center psychiatrist Dr. Redford Williams is an internationally recognized expert on anger management. He says he has been watching how our leaders have been handling this country's response to the terrorist attacks, and is pleased with their decision not to make a hasty retaliation.
"Thomas Jefferson once said, 'When angry count to ten. When very angry, count to 100.'"
Williams has developed a list of four questions he suggests we ask ourselves as individuals before reacting in anger to any event. But he says, they also hold true for our leaders. First, ask if it is important enough to be angry about. Is anger appropriate to the situation? Can you change it, or make sure it doesn't happen again? And finally, is it worth the response?
"If we approach these four questions either as a collective nation or as individuals, we're going to get four yeses."
Next, Williams says, it is important to make sure the response is well-thought out, and not simply an act of revenge. All of which holds true on a national as well as an individual level. I'm Tom Britt, for MedMinute.
Williams says when using his four guidelines, you must answer "yes" to all four questions.
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"The key thing, though, when you get four yeses - it means you should be taking action. If you get any 'no,' then the object of your action should be to change your reaction rather than change the situation.."
contact sources : Dr. Redford Williams , 919-684-3863 redfordw@acpub.duke.edu