Chronic illness can result in anger

NEW YORK, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- People diagnosed with chronic illness face worries about treatment, but also feelings of unfairness and fear, which can turn into anger, a U.S. expert says.

Gary McClain, president of JustGotDiagnosed.com, said that chronic illness can leave patients feeling that their life is spinning out of their control as the medical establishment seems to take over.

"When we feel out of control, anger is a natural response," McClain said in a statement.

"People with serious health conditions often feel that they shouldn't show their anger, but instead try to just accept their lot and have a positive attitude, so this strong emotion is often kept inside and pushed to the background."

The Web site JustGotDiagnosed.com has posted anger-management guidelines to help people deal with the anger that often springs from living with serious or chronic illnesses.

The Anger Management Checklist suggests:

-- Find a safe person to release the feelings of anger, someone with an open mind, without judgment and without the need to "fix" you. Once released, anger loses its power.

-- Avoid the positive-thinking police. Don't let anyone, badger you into suppressing your anger and putting on a happy face.

-- Take time to grieve what you have lost.

-- Let go of the need to be in control. Humans often cling to the belief that they are always in charge of their own destinies, and when they find out they aren't they get angry.