I have a very real problem with anger, so much so that I've basically isolated myself from having to deal with other people. (Which is easy, given my occupation as a rural mail carrier. I don't have to interact with people all that much.)
My problem is that I tend to hold things in and let them "stew", and afterward, the slightest thing will set me off and cause me to blow. And when that happens, well, I think it's safe to say that I have a very explosive temper. I don't get violent or hit things, but I do an awful lot of yelling and cursing. This is one thing that I absolutely hate about myself, because when it happens, I tend to go off the edge and nothing or no one can bring me back down once I've erupted.
I can't really talk to anyone about it, because, quite frankly, I don't know how to talk to anyone about it. Thank God, however, that it doesn't happen all that often. And, when it does, the only harm I cause to other people is in the form of words.
Today just happened to provide me with a prime example:
I bought a used Nissan from a fellow in Florida. It was used, so I knew I wasn't getting a trailer queen automobile. However, when he delivered it to me, he told me that he'd discovered a problem while driving it to me, and that when he got back home, he'd paypal me the money to have it repaired (about $300). Well, a month and a half later, and no money. I've repeatedly called and emailed him about it, and today, he said "Sue me. Take me to court."
I wouldn't have even expected him to repair it. After all, it's a used car. However, he did give me his word, and when someone does that, I expect them to live up to their promise.
Well, when he said that, I went ballistic. Not on him either.
My wife said something that set me off even more, so I went off on her. Not a hellraising cussing tirade, but I let my anger be made known nonetheless. Let me just be honest here: I was a jerk.
After we smoothed things over and I apologized to her for my actions, I was able to share with her how I honestly felt. I told her that we've been married for almost 17 years, and she knows me well enough to know when I'm off the deep end, as I was today. I don't expect her to be the subject of my verbal tirades, but she admitted recognizing the signs that I was over the edge, and that her first instinct was to just leave me alone until the storm had passed, so she apologized for pushing me further into the abyss.
I just wish I wasn't like this; that there were somewhere or someone out there who understood my predicament well enough to know how to help me not be like this. But,my problem is that I'm essentially socially ret*d, and can't even carry on a conversation with anyone other than my wife. Writing in a forum is one thing. I can express myself very well in word, but when it comes to speaking to another person, I lock up, like some invisible barrier goes up, and I lack the knowledge or understanding as to how to overcome this.
Sorry for getting too personal here, but I had to get this off my chest, and this thread offered me that chance. Thanks.
-Scott