Aggressive behavior in itself is unpleasant, and not only to others, who are suddenly dipped in negative, but also to the aggressors themselves. In fact, there are not many clinical villains among the latter who enjoy splashing out violent emotions on other people or objects. Normal people are also capable of such bursts, but then they feel remorse, try to make amends and at least try to control themselves. Aggression in men is especially destructive, the reasons for this can be so far-fetched and strange that the presence of a problem becomes obvious to all participants in the situation.
Types and types of male aggression
It should be noted right away that negative emotions with splashing out are not exclusively a male prerogative. Women are just as capable of being aggressors, do not monitor their actions and words. The paradox is that male aggression is partly considered socially acceptable. Of course, extreme manifestations are condemned, but there are many excuses for such a phenomenon as aggression in men. The reasons can be very diverse - from competition to health.
Two main types of aggression, which are easily determined even by non-specialists:
- verbal, when negative is expressed in screaming or frankly negative vocabulary;
- physical, when there are beatings, destruction, attempted murder.
With auto-aggression, the negative is directed at itself, manifests itself in all kinds of destructive actions. The motto of this type of aggression is: "Let me be worse."
Psychologists classify the destructive behavior we are considering into several types according to the following criteria: manifestation method, orientation, causes, degree of expression. Self-diagnosis in this case is almost impossible, because in most cases the aggressor seeks self-justification, does not see and does not want to see the problem, successfully transfers the blame to others.
Verbal aggression
The external manifestations of this type of aggression are quite expressive. It can be a furious cry, curses and curses. Often they are supplemented by gestural expression - a man can make offensive or threatening gestures, threaten with his fist, wave his hand. In the animal kingdom, males actively use precisely this type of aggression: who growls louder, then declares himself as the owner of the territory, it comes to open fights much less often.
However, verbal aggression in men, the reasons for which can be found both in mental health and in the pressure of society, is not so harmless. It destroys the psyche of those who are forced to live nearby. Children get used to the abnormal model of communication, absorb a pattern of paternal behavior as a norm.
Physical aggression
An extreme form of aggressive behavior, when a person shifts from shouts and threats to active physical actions. Now this is not just a threatening fist swing, but a blow. In a fit of rage, a man is capable of causing serious injuries to even the closest people, breaking or breaking personal things. Man acts like Godzilla, and destruction becomes his main goal. This can be either a short explosion, literally for one blow, or a many-night nightmare, which is why aggression in men is considered the most dangerous. The reasons are called for a variety of reasons - from "she provoked me" to "I am a man, you canât make me angry."
When wondering how much this is permissible, it is best to take the Criminal Code as a guide. It says in black and white that bodily harm of varying severity, attempted murder and intentional harm to personal property are all crimes.
Features of unmotivated male aggression
It is conditionally possible to divide manifestations of rage into motivated and unmotivated. One can understand and partially justify aggression manifested in a state of affect. This is often called "righteous anger." If someone offends the relatives of this man, encroaches on their life and health, then the aggressive response is at least understandable.
The problem is such attacks of aggression in men, the causes of which cannot be calculated at a glance. What got on him? He was just a normal person, and suddenly they changed! Something like this speaks of witnesses of a sudden unmotivated rage that erupts in any form, verbal or physical. In fact, any action has a reason, explanation or motive, itâs just that they do not always lie on the surface.
Reasons or excuses?
Where is the line between reasons and excuses? An example is the phenomenon of aggression of a man against a woman. The reasons are often the most common attempts to justify oneself, shift the blame onto the victim: âWhy did she stay late after work? Surely sheâs cheating, she needs to indicate the place!â, âI didnât have time to serve dinner, I need to teach a lessonâ or âAllows herself to show discontent, provokes aggression. "
Behind this behavior can be both personal hatred of a particular person, and banal misogyny. If a man seriously considers women to be second-class people, is it worth it to be surprised at the malicious attacks on them?
However, outbreaks of aggression may not take place because the man is simply an evil type. In addition to far-fetched excuses, there are also good reasons due to serious factors that can be identified and eliminated.
Hormonal background
A significant proportion of aggressive manifestations account for hormonal imbalance. Our emotions are largely determined by the ratio of the main hormones, a lack or excess can lead not only to violent outbursts, but also to severe depression, a pathological lack of emotions and severe psychiatric problems.
Testosterone is traditionally considered a hormone not only of sex drive, but also of aggression. Of particularly harsh and vicious men, they often say "testosterone male." Chronic lack of dopamine and serotonin leads to an increase in dissatisfaction, making a person predisposed to negative manifestations. Outbreaks of aggression in men, the causes of which lie precisely in hormonal imbalances, need to be treated. To do this, tests for hormone levels are given, a disease is revealed that led to disorders. Symptomatic treatment in this case brings only partial relief and cannot be considered complete.
Middle age crisis
If before such cases were not observed, then sudden aggression in a man of 35 years old can most often be associated with a midlife crisis. The age of maximalism is left behind, and the man begins to weigh whether all the decisions made were correct, whether it was a mistake. Literally everything falls into doubt: is this the family, is this the woman, is the right direction chosen in the career? Or maybe it was worth going to another institution and then marrying another, or not marrying at all?
Doubts and hesitations, a keen sense of missed opportunities - all this shakes the nervous system, reduces the level of tolerance and sociability. It begins to seem that there is still time to change everything in one jerk. Everyone around seemed to have conspired, do not understand this emotional impulse. Well, because they can be put in place by force, since they do not understand good. Fortunately, the midlife crisis is passing sooner or later. The main thing is to remember that periods of gloom are normal, but this is not a reason to break your life.
Retirement depression
The second round of the age crisis overtakes men after retirement. Women most often endure this period more easily - a substantial part of everyday worries remains with them. But men who are used to their profession as the central part of their life story begin to feel unnecessary, abandoned. Life has stopped, the respect of others has turned off along with the receipt of a pension certificate.
Aggression in men after 50 years is closely related to attempts to shift the responsibility for a failed life to others. At the same time, everything is okay objectively in a man who suddenly caught a demon in a rib, but there is a certain dissatisfaction. In this case, various health problems, overwork, lack of sleep can be added - all these factors exacerbate the situation. Aggressive attacks start to seem like a natural reaction to everything that happens.
Psychiatry or psychology?
Who should I go for help to - a psychologist or immediately a psychiatrist? Many men are afraid of their aggressive impulses, not without reason for fear of committing something irreparable. And it is very good that they are able to relatively soberly assess their actions and seek help from professionals. Who is involved in such a thing as aggression in men? The reasons and treatment are in the office of the psychiatrist exactly until he confirms that according to his profile the patient has no problems. This is precisely what the right approach to treatment with such a specialist consists of: you can safely make an appointment without fear that you will be âdisguised as crazy.â A psychiatrist is primarily a doctor, and he first checks to see if any completely physical factors influence the patientâs psyche: hormones, old injuries, sleep disturbance. A psychiatrist can recommend a good psychologist if the patient does not have problems that require medical treatment.
The first step to solving the problem
In many ways, the strategy for solving the problem depends on who makes this decision. Aggression in a man ... What should a woman who is nearby live in the same house with him, raise common children? Yes, of course, you can fight, persuade, help, but if the situation develops in such a way that you have to endure physical abuse and risk losing your life, itâs better to save yourself and save the children.
On the manâs side, the best first step is to acknowledge the problem. It is worth being honest with yourself: aggression is a problem that must be dealt with first of all by the aggressor himself, and not by his victims.
Possible consequences of aggression and complex work on oneself
We have to admit that in prison there are often prisoners who have precisely this vice - unwarranted aggression in men. The reasons need to be eliminated, but the excuses have no strength and weight. It is worthwhile to pull yourself together, but not rely only on self-control. If outbursts of rage are repeated, then the reason may lie in the violation of hormonal balance. This can be overwork, chronic lack of sleep, depressive manifestations, as well as social pressure, an unbearable rhythm of life, age-related changes, some kind of chronic illness. Consulting a doctor is a sure step that will help to cope with destructive behavior. Separate the reasons from the excuses, this will help outline the initial plan of action, and soon life will sparkle with new colors.