I Started College And The Stress Has Caused Me To Have Somewhat Serious Anger Issues

by Emily
(NY)

I'm a 19 year old girl and I just started college, my major is interior design. I also got out of a relationship 2 years ago and I have not been able to feel anywhere near that feeling.

I do smoke marijuana occasionally, and obviously this could be part of the excessive anger. But I lash out in the morning and the littlest things will make me flip and usually punch my wall. Sometimes when I do my homework I also lash out and hit items and then end up crying on my floor.

Do I need anger management or some kind of therapy/counseling?

Response from Dr. DeFoore

Hello Emily, and thanks for telling your story here. I think you could definitely benefit from some emotional healing work, and I will suggest some options for you.

You can use a do-it-yourself approach, and do the exercises described on this FAQ page. You sound like someone who could get a lot of help from those exercises.

You might also want to get some counseling from one of your college counselors. I also offer telephone and Skype counseling, if that interests you.

As you mentioned, the marijuana smoking isn't helping, so if you can, it would be good to discontinue that.

I can tell that you are a bright young woman, Emily. You may be going through some letting go processes, being away from home (assuming you moved out when you started college). If that's the case, or even if you're still living with your parents, you will benefit from this process which will help you to let go of your parents' influence and become more of your own person as an adult.

You will succeed with this, Emily. Believe in yourself and the strong, healthy person you really are inside.

My very best to you,

Dr. DeFoore

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