Brilliant Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 2nd Edition

Why improved communication skills can help you stay in control

We will return to the principles of assertive communication in the next chapter that deals with low self-esteem, but angry people often benefit enormously from these skills. Learning how to express your annoyance before it turns into rage, and that it is legitimate to ask people to respect your feelings, often makes a huge difference. The benefits for the angry person are many:

• Open communication can clear up misunderstandings and misconceived assumptions about what others are thinking.
• Assertiveness skills are empowering and therefore help address one of the sources of anger.
• Assertive people take responsibility for making themselves understood. This means they are less prone to ...