"Is this...Normal?"

[SquirrelPants]

Something I asked myself today. See, I was pretty angry and stressed out and all that good stuff after school today. So, I sat down to play a little TF2 to calm myself down.

I RAGED.

I wasn't doing so well, I was constantly killed, the entire other team was dominating me, so for some reason I though it would be a good idea to slam my head against the metal bed frame, and punch myself and all that good stuff. I mean, three hours later, I'm calm, I feel just fine, but I was looking at myself in the mirror to check for bruises(there weren't any) and I just asked myself..."Is this...normal?"

I do this kind of thing all the time when I'm angry.

I know people punch walls, punching bags, they dance, read, all kinds of stuff to relieve themselves of stress, but is raging and beating yourself up really an effective, or safe way to do so?

Also, what do you do to relieve stress?

 

[ThaBenMan]

I'd say it's not normal or healthy - awhile ago there was an episode of that show "Intervention" where a lady did pretty much the same thing, so they, y'know, had an intervention for her.

To help myself relieve stress, I usually try to do something physical - mow the lawn, or some other chore like that. Playing a game (especially something like Rock Band or Guitar Hero) can help too.

 

[peduncle]

i do that to. as long as it's not your solve all fix, you are fine

 

[latenightapplepie]

I'm not a particularly violent person, but I have, on occasion, thrown things when in a rage. Being in a rage is pretty rare for me though - I'm more of a seething kind of angry person - and so I have not developed the kind of expression the OP seems to have.

 

[Murrah]

I clean the house whenever I feel that it's coming for me. And at the end of the day, my mum would give me money for it. Go me!

 

[Haliwali]

TF2 is not the game to play in a bad mood.

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

Blunt force trauma to release tension?

OK.....I just eat Chocolate and read

 

[fontlas]

Heh, I'm like that too. I punch things and kick things and slam my head against the wall. Once so hard it was almost like Brucie in GTA, I also throw things. Shit is just flying across the room! Anway, no it's probably not normal but whatever. It works.

 

[WolfLordAndy]

When stressed its sort of normal to punch walls and stuff... personally, I've stopped playing TF2 when im stressed, as I usually play worse then normal, and end up getting more stressed. Play something easy like a flash game with lots of things dieing easy and exploding. Or play angry music loud, that helps take the edge off it.

On the whole, video games + stress/anger = more stress/anger.

 

[oktalist]

Going into a game when you're already stressed may not be the best time.

 

[deletemeplease107]

Im going through a real stressful time i guess, and the way ive been calming myself is some music and reading. Ive also been working out alot too.

 

[Bored Tomatoe]

I do that too, I throw things, slam doors, destroy my own stuff, punch walls, yell at others, and am generally king of the douches, Good thing I don't get angry often.

 

[Same River New Water]

It doesn't sound normal, healthy or safe. It certainly doesn't happen to me and I don't think anyone I know suffers anything like this. Even though you're taking it out on yourself, it sounds like you have some violent tendencies and anger management issues that you should sort out, before you accidentally hurt yourself badly or unleash it on another person. Your anger shouldn't explode like that, especially not over something as trivial as losing a game (even if you had had a bad day). See a psychologist or a counsellor if you can. Otherwise, Google it; I'm sure there are online guides to anger management, which doesn't begin to compare to seeing a specialist, but it's better than nothing.

EDIT: What mainly worries me is the fact that you said "three hours later, I'm calm". Raging for one full hour, let alone two or three, would suggest a deeper emotional problem than just a short temper. It seems like you really lack self-control when you're raging, and that could be dangerous.

 

[CriticallyAcclaimed]

I dont really get raged, but when I do, things get broke. But I am not one of those things. When stressed (which is all the friggin time nowadays) I just game. I wouldn't say you're method is unhealthy, just try to refrain from doing any real damage, eh?

 

[SmartIdiot]

Well, beating yourself up ain't really the way to go about things. You got the energy, you're mad, but putting it to more constructive use will pay dividends in the end. You know.

 

[NeutralDrow]

I sometimes punch myself in the leg in moments of frustration, but that's rare, since takes something extremely frustrating to make me do it (three words: "Dante Must Die"). I'm always fine a few seconds later.

 

[Tyr-Elhaz]

I used to do that, so I asked my doc if it was normal, he told me I release more adrenaline than avg. when stressed. not unhealthy amt, just more than normal. he told me to excersise or do some other physical thing, and to try meditation so that I dont get stressed as easy. now I do martial arts when Im mad, my forms have a lot more pop.

 

[throwitinthetrash]

I normally facepalm myself a few quick times in almost any rage situation.

What's a shame, is what society has done to the effect of swear words. They used to be a almost entirely harmless (obvious exceptions for verbal abuse) way to vent frustration really quickly. Now with how much curses are thrown around, especially amongst children, they have way less effect. This'll probably lead to more violent rage moments. = /

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

I don't really have any methods for release. I just bury it.

I used to do what you do, though. I advise you to keep your nails cut ridiculously short, nothing says "I got me some problems" like huge bleeding scrawl marks all over your face.

 

[Ago Iterum]

We all do it (most of us anyway) and although it's not a good idea, it's normal.

I have found better ways to deal with it. When stressed and feeling like banging my head off something, I sit, whilst heavily breathing. After a minute I'm fine, and I don't break things or hurt myself.