LOCKDOWN LIFE HAS MADE ME AN ANGRY DAD

Dear Coleen

Since this lockdown has gone on, I’ve been feeling angrier and angrier. I’m really snappy with my wife and kids, and I just take myself off a lot of the time to be on my own and cool down.

I’ve never thought of myself as an angry person before, so why am I feeling like this now?

Do you have any ideas about what I can do? I doubt I’ll be going back to work until September.

Coleen says

I don’t think you’re alone in feeling anger. This is an anxious time for all of us and anxiety and anger are very closely connected.

I think we all feel out of control, uncertain about the future, stressed from being holed up at home and, of course, we’re all missing our friends and family, who provide balance, comfort and a listening ear.

OK, so what can you do about it? Well, taking yourself off when you feel angry is a great start. That’s the right thing to do.

It immediately defuses the tension and you can go back into the situation feeling calm and more able to cope.

You could seek anger counselling online, but there are also loads of other self-help techniques that are worth trying – exercise, meditation, getting lost in a book, gardening. Find some things that work for you.

There are so many great apps out there. My kids have the Calm app on their phones and another good one is Headspace.

And talk to your wife. Tell her you’re struggling with anger. I assume she’s picked up on it, but talking about it would be good, and she might be able to help.