BS: anger - addictive?

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 03:48 PM

Your window? I don't think so. It's the web, dearie not your living room. If you are bothered by people expressing opinions on the web, you need a new hobby.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST,Drop in
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 04:05 PM

Guest has some issues. Humor him.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 04:20 PM

"Habit" might be a better word for it. A behavior can become habitual: a knee-jerk reaction to emotional or environmental stimuli. I think that's different from an addiction, which is a disease with biochemical and perhaps genetic components. Someone might need to get angry to alleviate anxiety that's building up inside him or her, but it still strikes me as different from the person who needs a cigarette.

Does a person who constantly gets angry feel relief after blowing up? I doubt it. But you tell me.

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 05:53 PM

They get a sort of a charge out of it, Elmer, but their system pays a price for it. Anger is hard on the human system in the long run.

It's not the same kind of addiction as a substance-based addiction. But addiction is not confined only to substance-based habits, in my opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: gnu
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 06:35 PM

Have not read the thread. No time this evening. Just tought I would stop by and and say, if it hasn't been said already,

Aaaaarrrrgggghhhhhhhh!!!! Yes, sometimes.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 06:57 PM

I think I grok your meaning, L.H. An adrenaline rush from the rage? Some illusion of power and control?

E.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST,memyself
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 07:22 PM

Oh, my, GUEST, I am sorry. Imagine - what I took to be the braying of an ass was the sound of an intellectual giant expressing his opinions! Well, you just go ahead and express your great, big, giant opinions and I won't torment you anymore.

And if you ever should feel inspired to reveal the relationship between the Cathars and the term "catharsis", I will be all ears (whoops! sorry!). I mean, I will be very interested.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 10:52 PM

Yep, Elmer, that's it. I saw this in my Dad all the time. As soon as he figured he couldn't control something or someone (usually me) he'd go into a screaming rage. This was pretty frightening when I was a youngster, so he'd get the superficial control he was after, by terrorizing me....but he got it at a terrible price. Once I left home I basically didn't talk to him for years. He was a non-person to me. He'd used up his available credit and goodwill.

So, he got a brief sense of power and dominance and lost a son. Hell of a bad bargain, if you ask me.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Slag
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 03:37 AM

LH, sounds like passive-agressive payback to me. You might want to explore the possibilty of reconciliaton for your own future well-being. If nothing is there and nothing to be done for it, you will at least have a peace of mind that you rose above it and made an effort to resolve the differences. Or perhaps, and I hope its true, you've already taken that high road.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: autolycus
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 06:42 AM

GUEST belongs to the scientific group. There has been a
debate for decades between the scientific and other
paradigms. And the debate is difficult because the
different parties to the debate play by different rules and
think the other side's rules are flawed/wrong/even non-rules.

   One rule that ought to be followed by all is to read or
hear what your opponent has written/heard. In the 1920s,a
Cambridge professor of English,I.A.Richards,gave some of his undergrads. a selection of poems and asked for their criticisms
and responses. The authors of the poems were kept back from the students.

   Out of the responses, Richards identified some simple reading errors rgularly made. And don't forget, the readers were young students of English Lit. at one of the top universities in the world,so ostensibly among the best readers around, yet still
making basic reading errors.

   One of the errors was failing to read what wwas on the page.


   I've written that I've never said that any given emotion IS addictive. What I did write is the emotions CAN be addictive.
GUEST keeps reading
             'emotions can be addictive'

                     as

             'emotions are addictive'.


   I hope everyone can see that those two sentences do not mean
the same thing.






       Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: freda underhill
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 07:46 AM

meanwhile, back at the ranch..

in some relationships there can be a dominance game which pulls the partners in power games and emotional manipulation including anger, dominance and physical or emotional violence. These aspects of the relationship are often hidden, which only serves to heighten the control and intensity within the partnership.

In relationships like this anger can be addictive, as is forgiveness, as part of a cycle of experiencing emotional highs and intensity.

- i know a couple who are addicted to drama in their personal lives. they have been together and not together for over 30 years in a very volatile marriage, swinging between rage, grief, joy, delight, blah - they are consciously committed to expressing all emotions to the full, and all their personal relationships are acted out with Shakespearean flair.

They live out their own Bold and the Beautiful, without the facelifts. For them, their roller coaster of intensity can make other parts of life fade into dreary nothingness. Other people seem grey, suppressed, non-living.

When they moved out of their last house, all the neighbours in the street came out and cheered and clapped as the removing van rolled out the drive. They were amused, even proud of this!

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 10:04 AM

Ivor, I noted what you had said the last time you posted to say "I didn't say that". Thank you for pointing out that there are two camps, one that says emotions are not addictive, one that says they are.

Seeing as I'm the only person posting to this thread that has made any attempt to discuss the scientific reasons for emotions not being addictive, doesn't mean I am reading incorrectly what has been written. I just haven't responded to your posts in particular, is all. But I will now. When you say emotions CAN be addictive, you are also saying they ARE addictive. Unless of course, you are claiming that emotions can be addictive but never are actually addictive in practice? No, I didn't think so.

As to the comment that I have "issues"--no, that isn't correct either. I have an opinion. It disagrees with the majority of posters to this thread. One poster here has chosen to attack me personally for expressing that opinion. I would add, that person is particularly gullible and easy to goad with a pointed stick.

I stand my ground, and say emotions and behaviors are not addictive, particular substances are. The belief among so many here that there is a provable causal link between emotions and addiction is just that, a popular belief with nothing to back it up.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 10:17 AM

I don't think I'm addicted to anger but I seem to get addicted to doing certain things that I know can make me angry. Against my better judgement or resolve I keep coming back to certain threads or types of thread here for example.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST,10:04 am
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 10:52 AM

Actually, 10:17 that just makes you a bully.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST,memyself
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 11:11 AM

"One poster here has chosen to attack me personally for expressing that opinion."

I would have thought that someone with your self-declared intellectual powers would have understood what was going on better than that. You were "attacked personally" for coming into a thread in which a civil discussion was taking place and firstly pronoucing the topic and by implication everyone who was taking it seriously "stupid", then sneeringly dismissing all the discussion that had taken place to that point as the spouting of "dimestore pop psychology", then in the course of introducing another idea casting aspersions on the intellectual capabilities of the other posters. As for "that opinion", I have little interest in it one way or the other. You're welcome to it.

"easy to goad with a pointed stick": Now there's a skill worthy of such a mighty intellect. Why don't you try spitballs now? Those can be annoying, too.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 11:28 AM

My, my. Someone with some anger management issues is in need of a long winter's rest.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 11:44 AM

And Mick, you may have most of these people fooled, but meMickmyself ain't foolin' me.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Big Mick
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 12:45 PM

Nice fishing expedition. Actually, you just show your ignorance, arrogance, and paranoia. You are so sure that there is no correct opinion on any subject but yours that you can't accept that there are many here who see you for the loony, self centered, all mouth-no substance, person that you are.

Let's get one thing straight. I have never logged off and posted as a GUEST. I have posted occasionally as a GUEST when I wasn't at my own computer, but I always ID'ed myself. I have no need to hide my identity and I will always take the credit/blame for my posts. So I reiterate, I have never posted under anything other than my own identity.

So take your bullshit back to the opera, or on one of your trips to Puerto Vallarta. Sip a nice tequila drink and shower the unenlightened with your horseshit about what is wrong with the world. Who knows, they might make you the Sage of the world. In your mind you are there already, so it is but a short leap. Or better yet......crawl back under your rock. Just because you need to hide in multiple identities and act in dishonorable ways, just because you are a deluded, self agrandizing, conspiracy nut, does not mean that the rest of us are.

If you ever need to find me, just look for my name.

I found this post as I was scanning for spam posts, so I guess I will go and read the rest of the thread now. I am sure Ryan Matriot MN Monster will figure prominently in it.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 12:50 PM

Sure, Mick. Sure. You aren't stalking me, even though you can name one of the only other threads I've posted to at the drop of a hat "scanning for spam".

Sure.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 01:04 PM

And how can I tell? Your arrogance, your vindictiveness, and your thin skin when someone dares to challenge your opinions.

Your boorishness is legendary among some of us--and very obvious no matter how hard you deny posting as a guest and try to disguise your identity. Don't worry, I know this isn't a game to you. You are clearly to mentally unstable for this to be a game. Lepus Rex did nail it when he said years ago you have a real stalking problem with me.

You mentioning my posts in the Christmas BLAHs thread proves it once again.

Those of us who see through your phony bravado also know there isn't anyone here at Mudcat willing to prove what it is you are doing.

You are one scary, vindictive dude Mick. That Memorial Day thread where I kicked your ass was how many years ago now? 1999? 2000? Far too long to carry a grudge against someone you claim not to give a shit about, isn't it? A sane, stable person would have let it go years ago.

But not the machismo legend in his own mind, Mick Lane. The man with the disturbing warrior hero delusions--the great defender of the Mudcat membership realm. Master of the sad and pathetic Oirish American Bard persona.

You claim to be all about honor and integrity, but you ain't nothin' of the sort. You are a boorish braggart, with serious anger problems that have long since crossed over from grudge holding to internet stalker behavior.

You have all the power here, no doubt about it. But it doesn't change the fact that you are the one here with anger problems meMickmyself. Serious anger problems. Seek treatment.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Shaneo
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 01:11 PM

It would seem that a lot of visitors to this board have lots of anger.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 01:17 PM

If bullshit were diamonds we'd all be rich.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 01:18 PM

And there isn't a bigger bullshitter in this forum than you guest/brucie/peace/memyself

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Big Mick
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 01:24 PM

Janet, that was a very nice try. Won't work.

First off, a few corrections. You didn't kick anyone's ass on the Memorial Day thread. You just showed yourself for the nasty person you are. You had very little support. And the funny thing about it was that many of your ideas and points had merit. But your nasty and self centered way just turned folks off. Over the years you have become known as a conspiracy nut who uses off the wall cites to make points that everyone can see as loony.

I don't care if you believe me as to the fact that I never post anonymously. I will leave that to the jury of my peers. Especially those that know me. I will let them decide for themselves as to my credibility when I tell you, and them, that I never post anonymously. Rick asked me years ago if I ever did that. I told him nope, and I still don't. I will acknowledge what I say. You should try it some time.

Actually, I agreed with Lepus when he said I needed to back off. I realized that he was right, in that I was pursuing your posts. You see, even though I consider many of his opinions incorrect, I have respect for Lepus. He is always out front, willing to take responsibility for what he says. And so when he said that, I did some examination and found merit in his words.

I don't pursue your posts these days. But I will hold you accountable for the positions you take when I see them. I don't mind telling you and everyone here, that I dislike what you stand for intensely. If I see something I will respond. But when I see someone like Don Firth whipping your butt so very nicely as he has lately, I just read, enjoy, and move on.

By the way, your attempts to use "hot button" issues to elicit anger didn't work. It just shows desperation.

I had no intention of getting in this thread, only spotted it while I was doing a daily "spam" scan. Spam is produced only by GUESTS, so I just scan all GUEST posts to find it. This problem will be solved by members only posting. That will end the problem, and will leave mod's to other more important duties.

So don't get all puffed up over yourself there, kid. I rarely look for your posts these days, and only respond when there is something I think needs responding to.

Have a nice day, sweetie.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 01:26 PM

No 10:54 I look and leave angry.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 01:33 PM

Poor sick little pup.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 01:39 PM

Sure boys, the two of you peas in a pod always win in your own minds.

Also in your own minds, you think the Mudcat world is on "your side". Some of us, however, do have the intelligence not to confuse popularity with "Truth".

And there is no doubt Mick Lane will beat me in the beauty contest here at Mudcat. There really are people here who truly admire your ability to bully, belittle, begrudge and show off your tremendous propensity to abuse the power given you by Mad Mudcat Max.

Because that is how small minds think. The Mudcat elite are shining examples of the sort of insecure, petty and vindictive men who have come to rule Max's Mudcat roost.

But not everyone here revels in the chance to suck up to and lick the boots of the bullies in power. More than a few folks have noted the disturbing similarity in behavior of the Mudcat bully elite and Republican neocon bullying.

Peas in a pod.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST,memyself
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 02:07 PM

I feel I have to apologize to Big Mick for his somehow getting dragged into this foolishness, as my supposed alter-ego (or vice-versa - is he my supposed alter-ego?). I had no idea this annoying person has a history of lunacy on this forum or I never would have wasted my time on him/her. Sorry, Mick. Likewise, apologies to "you guest/brucie/peace", and even McGrath, who if I understood this annoying person correctly, was the first one on this thread to have the unenviable distinction - although it doesn't seem to be all that distinct anymore - of being identified as one and the same as (me)myself. (I've got the Holy Trinity beat all to hell - I'm five - no, six - in one!).

Also, apologies to the others on the thread for feeding this confabulation. I should know better at my age. Although I do have to admit, it is amusing to see this annoying person reveal his/her true colours. A little sad, though, when I think about it ...

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 02:27 PM

In order to "reveal one's true colors" one first has to be trying to conceal them, no?

See here is the thing. The identity game is something you eejits give a shit about, not me.

It is obvious the label "guest, memyself" is being used by more than one person.

That is an MO of a few notorious Mudcat members, who routinely use several guest identities to attack people they dislike. This game has been going on since before even I arrived on the scene, and will continue even after "members only" posting is initiated (if it ever is).

There is also a reason why Mick Lane invokes the most beloved Mudcat member of all time, who is, conveniently for Mick in this case, unable to speak for himself.

Rick Fielding suspected Mick Lane of playing the much beloved Mudcat multiple personality game--for a very good reason.

And don't worry, most folks around here always feel like they have to apologize to Mick Lane. That is because he is the biggest bully on the block.

Carry on with your sucking up to yer own bad meself selves now, boys.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Big Mick
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 02:32 PM

Actually, sweetie pie, Rick was a close personal friend. He had done it once, and just wondered if I had.

That reference to apology is interesting coming from you. I believe that if you check, you will find any number of times that I have apolgized when I felt as though I should. I would bet you have yet to do the same.

OK, I have had enough fun for this thread. Please carry on without me.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 02:54 PM

Too late Mick, you already wrecked the thread. Just like you always do when you come rushing in to piss on my shoes.

That's what happens when your ego is much bigger than your heart.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 03:08 PM

The thread was already wrecked.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST,meself (formerly known as memyself)
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 03:11 PM

I like "meself" - it's folksier and friendlier than "memyself", which sounds a little cold, and maybe even pompous. Think I'll start using it. Thanks, GUEST!

Just want to make that public so I don't get accused of creating (yet another!) identity. By the way, I'm a little miffed that my prose style is not so unique that it could be suggested that more than one person has composed my posts. Harumph!

Okay, now that I've seen what's actually going on, I'm going to be off on my way. Good luck, GUEST - why not take a walk, do some cooking, play some music, something to get your mind off all this?

Last one out, turn off the lights!

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 03:26 PM

What makes you think I'm not enjoying myself brucie? Last night I went out for a lovely dinner and fabulous night at the theatre seeing "The Miser" with one of my oldest and dearest friends.

Some of us actually have a life, friends, great family and better things to spend it all here at Mudcat.

Believe me, this place doesn't rank THAT highly in my life. Mudcat is a time waster for me, while I'm doing laundry and reading the online newspapers.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 03:37 PM

No doubt the pleasure of your company is worth $30 a ticket to someone.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Slag
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 03:51 PM

I'll probably draw a lot of fire for this but...HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA and HA!!! LOL and etc. What a great debate for this thread. No personal attacks here. And Q.E.D. Addiction is a compulsion, a compulsory, often ritualistic behavior. There are physical addictions as with nicotine or narcotics and there are psychological addictions of which anger may be one. There are also psychoneural conditions such as OCD that resemble addiction but are treatable with certain drugs and psychotherapy. The hallmark of an addiction is the person's inability to alter or stop the behavior. Denial is often central to the continuation of the addiction. The sufferer sees himself and his behavior as "normal" and will marshall rationalizations and argument to support his view. This also often incorporates a social support system that aids and abets the denial and smooths over any of the destructiveness the behavior may cause. It is the basis for the concept of dysfunction. Those who do not share in the dysfunction will instinctively or knowingly avoid the addict and his enablers which tends to isolate and intensifiy the problem. In sever cases the addicted person drives off his support resources and "hits bottom". This is usually the make or break moment where the person must either confront the addictive behavior or be lost forever to it. If it is chemical dependence, said chemistries will destroy their physical life. If it is "rage," assualt and battery charges may be in the offing and the criminal justice system becomes the confronting "bottom' and if realization does not take place there are prisons for warehousing angry young (and old) men. That is , if someone doesn't shoot them in self defense first. There are a lot of worthy tomes out there on this subject and its NOT pop-psychology. There is a lot of common sense and logic at work here and if YOU rale against the notion, you might ask yourself, what it is that you are trying to avoid.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 03:57 PM

GREAT post, Slag! You are right on every point.

"The hallmark of an addiction is the person's inability to alter or stop the behavior."

Like in my case: Posting on Mudcat many times a day...specially on the political threads. Teribus has got it bad, too, maybe worse than me. Poor guy.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 04:08 PM

Lousy post, slag!

I don't read posts where the writer can't be arsed to put in paragraph breaks!

so HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA back at ya!

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 04:28 PM

Yes, well, some of us have a lower attention span than others, right?

But it's true, Slag, you might better have put in a couple of paragraph breaks. It would help.

Why watch soap operas when we've got Mudcat Cafe? ;-) Nasty, nasty, nasty! Tune in shortly for the next riveting episode.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Slag
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 06:50 PM

I do make exceptions for others who post but do not observe proper grammar, spelling and form.*   I was under the impression that this was an informal forum where the participants thought on the fly and more or less followed a stream of consciousness and implyed humor here and there to keep the friendly nature of the thing alive.

    I see now that I was wrong. I must thank GUEST for pointing out to me the error of my ways. I shall henceforth endeavor to be as presise and correct in all aspects of the English language. I will also expect the same from every other person alike, both members and non-members. GUEST has demonstrated to me that form easily trumps factual statement, analysis and logic. I stand corrected.**


* The reader may have note the lack of the comma before the word "and" in this list and again in the penultimate sentence in the last paragraph. Grammarians differ of this usage. Some hold that each item in a list should be separated by a comma and others ( to which I subscribe) feel that the "and" takes the place of the comma. Perhaps this may be fodder for another thread but I sincerely hope that my usage here does not negate your thoughtful consideration of the foregoing. Copyrighted 2006

** I have just detected a problem with the website which now I feel may compromise all previous postings! The program will not let me indent for the initial paragraph! Oh! What will we do? What will we do?

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Big Mick
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 06:52 PM

Great post! Well done, Slag.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 06:57 PM

There's always the honorable way out, Slag. Ritual suicide. ;-)

I too have been deeply troubled by the lack of indentations on paragraphs, and that sort of thing. I feel your pain, brother! And I'm sure we both feel the pain of Guest, who had to wade through that whole lengthy post you made at 3:50 pm, without the relief of even ONE paragraph break. Dear me! S/he must be a very courageous soul to have done it and still had enough strength left to type a useful (?) comment about it afterward.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 07:05 PM

No pain. I just didn't read it. Don't care about poor grammar, typos, punctuation and that stuff. But the paragraph break is a no brainer.

But since y'all are just being assholes now, I'm not really reading what you are posting anyway. And you fellas might not have noticed it yet, but Mick's big footin' his way in here shut down the thread a long time ago anyway.

Then he says he is leaving.

Then he is back to congratulate the posters still around trying to slag me.

So you see, this thread has been all about Mick Lane all afternoon. This is what he does best. Ruin things for others with his rage. Which blinds him from realizing that he just shit on the thread and ruined it for everyone, just trying to "get me".

What a pathetic loser.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Slag
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 07:15 PM

Gee, how did I miss THAT?

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 07:16 PM

Too bad you didn't read it. You missed the best post on this thread.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 07:25 PM

Slag's post at 3:50, that is...

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Slag
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 07:32 PM

Just for fun I reread my 3:51 post and as it is a summary of the nature of addiction, I don't believe a paragraph break is warranted! Any grammarians to the contrary?

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 07:40 PM

Well, Slag, apparently our Guest couldn't read it. Too difficult without the breaks. Okay...here is is again with breaks put in, just for you, Guest! ;-)

I'll probably draw a lot of fire for this but...

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA and HA!!!

LOL and etc.

What a great debate for this thread. No personal attacks here. And Q.E.D. Addiction is a compulsion, a compulsory, often ritualistic behavior.

There are physical addictions as with nicotine or narcotics and there are psychological addictions of which anger may be one. There are also psychoneural conditions such as OCD that resemble addiction but are treatable with certain drugs and psychotherapy.

The hallmark of an addiction is the person's inability to alter or stop the behavior. Denial is often central to the continuation of the addiction. The sufferer sees himself and his behavior as "normal" and will marshall rationalizations and argument to support his view.

This also often incorporates a social support system that aids and abets the denial and smooths over any of the destructiveness the behavior may cause. It is the basis for the concept of dysfunction. Those who do not share in the dysfunction will instinctively or knowingly avoid the addict and his enablers which tends to isolate and intensifiy the problem.

In severe cases the addicted person drives off his support resources and "hits bottom". This is usually the make or break moment where the person must either confront the addictive behavior or be lost forever to it. If it is chemical dependence, said chemistries will destroy their physical life. If it is "rage," assualt and battery charges may be in the offing and the criminal justice system becomes the confronting "bottom' and if realization does not take place there are prisons for warehousing angry young (and old) men. That is , if someone doesn't shoot them in self defense first.

There are a lot of worthy tomes out there on this subject and its NOT pop-psychology. There is a lot of common sense and logic at work here and if YOU rale against the notion, you might ask yourself, what it is that you are trying to avoid.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 07:45 PM

"I find it odd that not one person has mentioned the most wonderful side effect of anger: catharsis."

That's like saying - No one has mentioned that gambling is really exciting when you win.

Anger is not always cathartic. It often gets people into a bigger mess than they were in to start with, with greater pressures to deal with as a result.

So the "buzz" is catharsis.

A fairly compelling argument in support of the view that expresssing ones anger in order to enjoy catharsis may well be an addictive practice.

Addiction = "Habitual psychological and physiological dependence on a substance or PRACTICE beyond one's voluntary control."

Stress is a definite physiological concern. If you find yourself relying more and more on stoking up your anger so that you can get that all consuming and liberating catharsis as a way of dealing with stress then that would constitute an physiologically addictive practice.

Subject: RE: BS: anger - addictive?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 07:49 PM

100!