Anger!

[Jonn]

"Have you ever experienced a sudden bout of rage? You're waiting in line and someone cuts in front of you. Suddenly, you're huffing and puffing, perhaps making passive-aggressive comments toward the other person, or even engaging in physical violence. The other person responds and, in an instant, you find yourself in the middle of an all-out confrontation. Now, in the midst of the situation, you regret your actions. What happened?

In neurobiologist Doug Fields' book 'Why We Snap: Understanding the Rage Circuit in Your Brain,' Fields explores the rapid responses inherent to these moments, unlocking the secret logic of anger. Curious to know more?"



https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/othe...8&cvid=6ae65d518b374c5ffef996f3a1a1422e&ei=48

 

[Jonn]

Uncontrollable rage circuit

According to science, once triggered, we all have a rage circuit that we aren’t able to control. Neurobiologist Douglas Fields argues that violent behavior occurs when our evolutionary triggers react in moments when rapid responses are engaged and clash with stressful contemporary situations.

 

[Jonn]

Bouts of rage

These bouts of rage are not merely reserved for those with anger issues. In fact, Fields notes that if the circumstances are right, just about anyone can find themselves in a rage-filled situation.

Violence by ordinary people

That's precisely what inspired Fields' book. He argues that the daily news cycle features acts of violence by ordinary people who suddenly snap without previous histories of violent acts.

Neurocircuitry

Fascinated by the “rage response,” Fields wanted to understand the neurocircuitry that controls these responses and behaviors, which he argues is “unconscious,” “subcortical,” and therefore, “instantaneous.

 

[Jonn]

Nine triggers

LIFEMORTS

Fields refers to these nine triggers using the mnemonic “LIFEMORTS:” Life-or-death, Insult, Family, Environment, Mate, Order in Society, Resources, Tribe, and Stopped. Each of these triggers represent a “threat-detection response.”

Emotional responses

According to Fields, all the emotional responses that communicate to our brains that we are in danger correspond to the nine triggers previously outlined. When we can recognize them, we can more adequately respond.

"The Truth will set you free."

 

[Jonn]

Recognizing triggers

He argues that because they were able to recognize the trigger that made the situation infuriating, they were able to adequately process the behavior of the woman.

Power to reason over emotion.

One of the things I have had to confront with while being ultra-rational on line, is the possible perception by others that I was tolling.

Some ppl seem to think that if there isn't an emotional tit-for-tat, it is a false/contrived/manipulative interaction.
This can be intimidating at first.
These days I don't succumb to emotional blackmail, and refuse to rise to the bait through an angry response.

 

[Jonn]

Stop ourselves

When we can approach situations from the perspective that neuroscience offers us, we can stop ourselves from snapping and engaging in behavior that occurs without conscious control.

Amen.

Understanding neural circuits

By understanding that it’s actually the neural circuits in our brain that provoke this 'instantaneous reaction,' we can better gauge which situations warrant rapid responses and which don't, but rather require some careful thinking before issuing any action.

"You cannot be serious!"

Impulsive behavior

The same kind of circuitry that allows us to intervene impulsively, in an actual threatening situation, is the same one that plunges us into inappropriate behavior.

 

[Jonn]

Managing our reactions

By breaking these 'snap' decisions into the nine different triggers, which Fields argues each have their own neural mechanisms, we can understand how to ‘confront’ a particular threat and better manage your reactions.


Sources: (Why We Snap: Understanding the Rage Circuit in Your Brain) (R. Douglas Fields) (Scientific American) (Hidden Brain) (This is Your Brain) (Right Now Media)

Much easier said than done for many on the spectrum, I dare say.

For me personally, new real-life situations can be overwhelming when confronted.
Information overload is a serious problem for many of us.
I strongly believe a forum type situation, for most autistics, is preferable to interacting in real life, for this reason.

This is why:
NTs should not sit in judgement of NDs...
(And NDs should not do the same for NTs, in this context.)

The Seeker of Truth has spoken.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Power to reason over emotion.

One of the things I have had to confront with while being ultra-rational on line, is the possible perception by others that I was tolling.

Some ppl seem to think that if there isn't an emotional tit-for-tat, it is a false/contrived/manipulative interaction.
This can be intimidating at first.
These days I don't succumb to emotional blackmail, and refuse to rise to the bait through an angry response.

Absolutely!

I find this useful even in real life when confronted with a highly-emotional situation, especially when someone wants to forcefully argue. Shut it down. If you meet their emotional energy then all rational thought is inhibited. This is a conscious exercise in self-discipline and patience. Go ahead and let them "punch themselves out", say nothing, nod your head in acknowledgement, then walk away. Don't trigger them again. They may be totally wrong in their perspective, but shut up and listen. In that situation, the truth doesn't matter, and you don't have to be right or "win" the interaction. Many times the person will sit and stew about it for a while, and if you see them again, they may actually apologize for their behavior.

I do have some impulsive tendencies, but these are tiny, everyday, benign sorts of behaviors. I am not impulsive in terms of say, spending money, or anything that could result in a confrontation with my wife, but more like, "Let's see where this road leads us."

That said, rage, well that's a whole different situation. I've got a long, long fuse attached to a very large bomb. It is super rare, like once in a decade sort of situation, but if I go "black", the amount of horrific evil that will be unleashed would make the Devil, himself, shutter in fear. That's all I will say about that.

 

[Jonn]

This is a conscious exercise in self-discipline and patience. Go ahead and let them "punch themselves out", say nothing, nod your head in acknowledgement, then walk away. Don't trigger them again. They may be totally wrong in their perspective, but shut up and listen. In that situation, the truth doesn't matter, and you don't have to be right or "win" the interaction. Many times the person will sit and stew about it for a while, and if you see them again, they may actually apologize for their behavior.

Unfortunately, I have met too many "Wombats":
"You can bring a wombat to logic, but you can't make it think."