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Russell,
Your perspective in this topic was very received. In particular your source: Veterans Affairs (2020)
explains that anger comes from the trauma the individual experience as a survival instinct and a response to the
incident being unfair or a victim. This is so true. Cognitive Processing Therapy has been able to effectively assist
people and their anger. “This ultimately assists the individual in developing better coping mechanisms to events that
would trigger an angry response,” (Freeman, Moore & Freeman, 2009). As a member of the US Army, I witnessed
attempts from fellow Soldiers in taking their lives. This is a direct result of the guilt they suffered after losing their
battle buddy (term used in US Army for close companion). As you mentioned Moore and Penk (2019) stated, “the
eight-session behavioral activation for PTSD treatment address pain management skills, including relaxation
training and anger management,” (Moore & Penk, 2019). This approach sounds good for some. Treatments that
have a foundation built around theories of cognitive behavioral therapy can help target the hypervigilance and
hyperarousal aspects of anger. “There have been several assessments of anger management methods in civilian
populations, most demonstrating that no one tactic is ideal for treating all features of anger” (Moore & Penk, 2011).
“Many Veterans experiencing anger problems may enter treatment with the idea that it is not possible for
them to learn new, more adaptive ways of dealing,” (Creech, Taft, & Kachadourian, 2012). Given this understanding
it will be essential for the counselor to provide optimism and let the Veteran reflect on their desire to change to help
facilitate their session. Veteran’s or service members are more likely to participate in training in a group setting. As
I have had the opportunity to conduct these sessions in my study I was pleasantly surprised by the participation of
members once the group was convened. “Problematic anger and aggression frequently occur with PTSD, and
treatment of these problems is recommended in the 2010 VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of
Post-Traumatic Stress,” (Creech et al., 2012).
References:
Freeman, S. M. (2009). Living and surviving in harm's way. Taylor & Francis.
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781135859336
Moore, B. A., Penk, W., & Friedman, M. J. (2019). Treating PTSD in military personnel: A clinical
handbook (Second). The Guilford Press. Retrieved January 18, 2022, from
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781462538454.
Taft, C. T., PhD., Creech, S. K., PhD., & Kachadourian, L., PhD. (2012). Assessment and treatment of
posttraumatic anger and aggression: A review. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 49(5), 777-88.
http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fscholarly-journals%2Fassessment-
treatment-posttraumatic-anger%2Fdocview%2F1143892055%2Fse-2
Anger is a common symptom to members suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and some treatment
plans include anger management. As part of the diagnosis process, I would ask if the member experiences anger or
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anger outbursts. Then I would ask what makes them angry and if it is related to their PTSD? The next question I
would ask will be if the member will be willing to add an anger management course to their treatment. I will then
show statistics on how anger management can help teach coping skills and assist with their anger. Veterans Affairs
(2020) explains that anger comes from the trauma the individual experience as a survival instinct and a response to
the incident being unfair or a victim. Moore and Penk (2019) state, “the eight-session behavioral activation for
PTSD treatment address pain management skills, including relaxation training and anger management” (Moore &
Penk, 2019, p. 304). Freeman et al. (2009) includes that “best-practices recommendations by the Department of
Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD, 2004) specific for the treatment of anger associated with
PTSD now include anger management” (Freeman et al., 2009, p. 169). I would suggest that members who have
PTSD also seek anger management treatment. A study conducted by Kalkstein et al. (2018) resulted in a decrease of
anger when members are in anger management programs along with their PTSD treatment. There is also an Anger
Disorders Scale-Short Version comprised of 18 questions to help identify members with anger (Kalkstein et al.,
2018). This can also be an instrument to assist in the intervention process of the PTSD diagnosis.
References
Freeman, S. M., Moore, B. A., & Freeman, A. (2009). Living and surviving in harm’s way: A psychological
treatment handbook for pre- and post- deployment of military personnel. New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN:
9780415988681.
Kalkstein, S., Scott, J. C., Vickers Smith, R., & Cruz, J. (2018). Effectiveness of an anger control program among
veterans with PTSD and other mental health issues: A comparative study. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(9),
1422-1430. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22631.
Moore, B. A., & Penk, W. E. (2019). Treating PTSD in military personnel (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
ISBN: 9781609186357.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2020) PTSD: National center for PTSD. Retrieved from
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/related/anger.asp.
