Anger Management and Wound Healing Memphis TN

By definition, a wound is a physical injury that results in an opening or break of the skin. There are several types of wounds, including surgical, traumatic, and chronic wounds. Traumatic wounds may be caused by mechanical, traumatic or thermal injury, including contusions, abrasions, punctures, fractures, burns, and frostbite. The surgical wound is usually clean and easiest to heal. By definition, chronic wounds may be more difficult to heal, and include pressure sores and diabetic ulcers. The process of repair and regeneration following injury represents one of the most fundamental defense mechanisms of an organism against the environment. Wound healing in individuals generally occurs over a reasonable length of time. Some factors that negatively influence wound healing include age, obesity, malnutrition, smoking, diabetes, wound stress and pharmaceutical medications.

Anger is an important emotion because it stimulates adrenaline which creates energy and thereby motivates the individual into action. It is when anger is out of control (chronic anger) that individuals get into trouble. Anger is a physiological and psychological process. Because anger affects both of these areas, it may have a negative impact on mental and physical health lending itself also to social problems. Researchers have found that uncontrolled anger and suppressed anger leads to a higher incidence of heart disease, hypertension and other health problems.

 It has been hypothesized that lack of anger management and outward and inward anger expression may be associated with delayed wound healing. A recent study included 98 participants who received standardized blister wounds on their forearm. The subjects were then monitored for 8 days to assess how quickly the wound healed. The results revealed that individuals with lower levels of anger control were more likely to be categorized as slow healers and also exhibited higher cortisol reactivity. The increased cortisol secretion was related to a longer healing time. Researchers concluded that wound healing is directly impacted by one's ability to manage their expression of anger.¹ 

¹ Gouin JP, Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Malarkey WB, et al. The influence of anger expression on wound healing. Brain Behav Immun. Jul2008;22(5):699-708.