EMOTIONS: Past and Present

It is important to distinguish between three types of anger/emotions: the first is an anger/emotion resulting from a current experience; the second is an anger/emotion resulting from the re-stimulation of a past event; while the third is an anger/emotion resulting from the sudden release of anger which has been repressed from previous emotional events.

The first type of anger is generally correlated to the immediate circumstances (or to one's perception of the circumstances). When this type of Emotional Fire Alarm sounds, it is typically appropriate to the current circumstances and often useful in navigating (surviving) the situation.

The second type of anger is often less useful and possibly detrimental to the effectiveness of the individual as it is often not related to the current circumstances. In addition to the anger itself, the re-stimulation typically brings with it a behavior which, while it may have been completely appropriate to the past event, is most likely less appropriate to the current circumstances.

Lastly, the third type of anger/emotion is the least useful. It is the most dangerous and potentially destructive type of anger/emotion. Because it is the result of unreleased (suppressed) emotion, it is typically released at explosive and sometimes uncontrollable levels. It is rarely if ever appropriate or useful to the current circumstances.

IMHO, "Venting" anger may be an indication of either type two or three anger. Flying into a full on rage because your pen ran out of ink may be a warning of some significant unresolved issues.