Ten Things to Know About the Angry Brain

1. Think of the brain as a survival machine -- and anger as a survival-enhancing emotion.

2. Much anger is defensive and protective -- derived from and maintained by perceived threats.

3. A core sense of safety is ultimately the best anger inhibitor.

4. Anger is usually turned on unconsciously but has to be turned off consciously.

5. Changing the Angry Brain involves people changing their lives, not just their anger.

6. People with angry brains are very inaccurate appraisers of present or past events.

7. People with angry brains have very distorted memories.

8. The principles of neuroplasticity apply to the Angry Brain.

9. Positive interaction circuits must be developed to replace negative ones.

10. Increased emphathy and compassion are essential habits for changing angry brain patterns.