Treatment of Anger with a Developmentally Handicapped Man

Therapeutic interventions for anger and aggression have progressed significantly in the past decade, yet the treatment of this very problematic emotion/action complex remains neglected among seriously disordered populations. Recent work by Howells and his colleagues (Howells, 1989; Howells & Hollin, 1989; Levey & Howells, 1991) has certainly provided an impetus to addressing problems of anger, aggression, and violence among institutionalized patients.1 Most assuredly, the management of patients’ aggressive behavior presents formidable challenges to clinical staff who must be concerned with risks to themselves and to the welfare of other patients. Moreover, a patient’s inability to control aggressive behavior will certainly forestall discharge and perpetually remain a liability for social adaptation. Because assaultive behavior is often mediated by anger, treatment procedures that aim to provide clients with anger-control capabilities are important therapeutic resources, especially be-cause they seek to promote anger regulatory competency through the development of coping skills that have larger implications for psychosocial adjustment.