What Are The Best Anger Management Books?

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anger as “an emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong.” Although this emotion can be healthy, anger can sometimes be negative, and the way people react to it can create challenges in some cases. Anger management books can introduce healthy ways to respond to anger. While what one considers to be the “best” anger management books may be subjective, a variety of books can help individuals who are struggling with anger, including those discussed in this article. If you believe you’d benefit from more individualized support, it may be helpful to connect with a licensed therapist. 

Anger Management Workbook for Men: Take Control of Your Anger and Master Your Emotions

Written by clinical therapist Aaron Karmin, the Anger Management Workbook for Men: Take Control of Your Anger and Master Your Emotions is a book that may help individuals who identify as men address their struggles with anger. 

This workbook provides methods to evaluate the way one’s anger manifests and express that anger in a more productive way. Karmin also discusses clinical anger management strategies and ways to address underlying causes of anger, such as low self-esteem. 

Has the author of the Anger Management Workbook for Men written other books?

Another book written by Aaron Karmin is Instant Anger Management: Quick and Simple CBT Strategies on the Spot. This book generally focuses on the use of techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can enable a person to analyze the patterns of thought that may contribute to anger. 

Instant Anger Management may help a person identify which situations most commonly trigger their anger and understand ways to manage their emotions when these situations occur.

Anger Management Workbook for Women: A 5-Step Guide to Managing Your Emotions and Breaking the Cycle of Anger

Written by licensed clinical social worker Julie Catalano, the Anger Management Workbook for Women: A 5-Step Guide to Managing Your Emotions and Breaking the Cycle of Anger may help individuals who identify as women find the source of their anger and create a plan to overcome it. 

This workbook also provides a variety of quizzes, worksheets, and activities that can guide individuals through ways to address potentially negative behavioral patterns. In addition to these interactive elements, the Anger Management Workbook for Women includes numerous stories from other women who have used its techniques successfully.  

Has the author of the Anger Management Workbook for Women written other books?

As of this writing, it does not appear that the author of Anger Management Workbook for Women: A 5-Step Guide to Managing Your Emotions and Breaking the Cycle of Anger has written any other books. 

Another author by the same name has written additional books, but they aren’t focused on anger or anger management techniques. 

Mindfulness for Anger Management: Transformative Skills for Overcoming Anger and Managing Powerful Emotions

Written by Stephen Dansiger, Mindfulness for Anger Management: Transformative Skills for Overcoming Anger and Managing Powerful Emotions defines the types of anger one can experience, ranging from mild frustration to intense rage and aggression. 

This book discusses the feelings and bodily sensations that can accompany anger, which can give the reader a deeper understanding of how this emotion may manifest. Mindfulness for Anger Management also provides self-assessments for individuals to assess their personal level of anger and monitor their progress.

Has the author Of Mindfulness for Anger Management: Managing Powerful Emotions written other books?

While Mindfulness for Anger Management: Transformative Skills for Overcoming Anger and Managing Powerful Emotions may be Dansiger’s only book on anger, he has several other publications related to mental health. 

These include Trauma and the 12 Steps: A Trauma Responsive Workbook, EMDR Therapy and Mindfulness for Trauma-Focused Care, and Clinical Dharma: A Path for Healers and Helpers. 

The Dance of Anger: A Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships

Written by Dr. Harriet Lerner, The Dance of Anger: A Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships teaches individuals who identify as women to acknowledge their anger instead of denying it. By acknowledging anger, individuals can learn how to vent it in a healthy manner that doesn’t lead to a sense of powerlessness or helplessness. 

The Dance of Anger also focuses on anger as a component of relationship dynamics and the underlying reasons that resentment may grow between loved ones. 

Has the author of The Dance of Anger written other books?

Dr. Lerner has written numerous other books about relationships. These books include Why Won’t You Apologize: Healing Big Betrayals and Everyday Hurts, The Dance of Connection: How to Talk to Someone When You’re Mad, Hurt, Scared, Frustrated, Insulted, Betrayed, or Desperate, and The Dance of Intimacy: A Woman’s Guide to Courageous Acts of Change in Key Relationships.

What other anger management books may be helpful?

A variety of anger management books may benefit individuals struggling with anger. According to Goodreads, popular anger management books may include the following:

• Never Get Angry Again: The Foolproof Way to Stay Calm and in Control in Any Conversation or Situation by David J. Lieberman
• Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames by Thich Nhat Hanh
• The Cow in the Parking Lot: A Zen Approach to Overcoming Anger by Leonard Scheff
• Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way by Gary Chapman
• Mind-Body Workbook for Anger: Effective Tools for Anger Management and Conflict Resolution by Stanley H. Block
• The Anger Workbook: A 13-Step Interactive Plan by Les Carter
• The Surprising Purpose of Anger: Beyond Anger Management: Finding the Gift by Marshall B. Rosenberg
• Beyond Anger: A Guide for Men: How to Free Yourself from the Grip of Anger and Get More Out of Your Life by Thomas J. Harbin

Are anger management books the only way to address anger?

There may be several ways to address anger outside of reading an anger management book. Below are several potentially effective techniques:

• Learn to identify warning signs: Watch for the signs that you are starting to become frustrated or annoyed. This can signal that you are entering an anger episode. By seeing the signs ahead of time, you may be able to prevent your anger from escalating and avoid making a potentially harmful mistake.  
• Don’t dwell on the past: If a situation or topic makes you angry, it can be helpful not to dwell on it or bring it up frequently. In some cases, a situation may have been resolved, which means bringing it up again could be unproductive. It can be difficult, but letting go can allow you to focus on the present and the things you appreciate. 
• Restructure your thought patterns: Anger can give us a skewed perspective on events, often leading to a more negative opinion of a situation than what objectively occurred. Techniques like cognitive restructuring can help individuals replace negative or unhelpful thoughts and establish a more reasonable outlook on situations that lead to anger. 
• Learn to relax: Relaxation techniques can reduce stress and may be beneficial during anger episodes. These techniques can vary and may include deep breathing, watching relaxing imagery, and practicing progressive muscle relaxation. 
• Exercise: In addition to relaxation techniques, exercise can reduce stress and feelings of anger. In addition to its effects on anger, regular exercise may reduce chronic disease, improve mood, and lower the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. 

Can anger be a symptom of a mental health condition? 

While many individuals experience anger periodically throughout their lives, frequent or intense anger may be a symptom of mental illness. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, five mental health disorders have anger as a key criterion:

• Intermittent explosive disorder
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
• Bipolar disorder

While it may not be a key criterion, anger can also be present in other conditions. For example, those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may experience frustration, which could develop into anger. 

Therapies that may help with anger

Although the precise kind of therapy that a medical or mental health professional will recommend may depend on your specific condition, there are therapies that can help with anger and anger-related mental health disorders. According to the APA, these include psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and family therapy.

However, while these types of therapy could benefit individuals struggling with anger, in-person therapy may not always be convenient or accessible. Some individuals may lack reliable transportation or believe that driving contributes to their anger, making it difficult for them to commute to in-person appointments. Others may be uncomfortable discussing anger episodes or other sensitive topics face-to-face, preferring instead to talk through calls, texts, or video chats. In these situations, it may be beneficial to try online therapy. 

Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy, with a 2022 study showing no significant differences between these therapeutic formats. 

Takeaway

Although many individuals experience anger at some point in their lives, intense or frequent anger may be harmful. Anger management books can be a valuable resource to help individuals understand the underlying causes of their anger and overcome anger-related struggles. In some cases, anger can be a symptom of a mental health condition. If you believe your anger is indicative of a mental illness, or if it is interfering with your life, it may be necessary to seek the help of a mental help professional in person or online.