Aggression is identified as an act of violent behaviour to attack a person, and most of the time, this feeling is not immediate. However, if it emerged suddenly out of a person, maybe because it had been built up inside them over time. So before something like that happens, it’s good to understand the triggers that lead to aggression and recognise the early signs so that you can anticipate and manage it even before it escalates.
To promote healthier interactions with people, here is a guide on how to recognise what ticks someone off and the subtle cues that lead to aggression through aggression management training.
Recognise the Common Aggression Triggers
Most of the time, aggression has these identifiable triggers that can provoke frustration or even anger. And while these vary greatly between people, some situations set the stage for this behaviour, like:
- Feeling disrespected, ignored, or even dismissed their opinions while they are in the middle of talking.
- High stress levels, especially during long work hours, or if the person has some personal or financial issues that create pressure around the person.
- Feeling like the person is a letdown to others or by themselves.
Early Signs of Aggression to Watch Out For
If you are the observant type, you will see the subtle signs that are the early signals of any aggression or major outburst. These manifest in different ways, like:
- A person presenting a cold shoulder, or maybe talking in a sarcastic way, and may respond abruptly can mean that they are already internalising the frustration.
- Finding it hard to concentrate or even lose interest in a certain conversation.
- A change in body language, especially changes in posture or feeling restless and breathing rapidly.
- Unusual silence, or maybe talking in a rapid manner but with a sharper tone that indicates frustration.
How to Respond to Early Signs of Aggression
If you feel like you are with someone who is currently showing these signs, it is important to treat them with understanding and lots and lots of patience. However, if you are the proactive type who wants to do more than those, here are some things you can try:
- Acknowledge their feelings, but always assess if it is the right time to talk to them. Sometimes, especially if the person is your romantic partner or your immediate family, holding them close can mean that you acknowledge their feelings too.
- Keep a calm and relaxed demeanour, as this can influence them to keep their cool and eventually calm down as well.
- And when all else doesn’t work, offer them a moment to cool down.
Aggression is a feeling you cannot control once it bursts out, but you can always prevent the situation from getting any worse. But aggression is something that you don’t see early on, so it’s best to observe and be mindful of the situation. Understanding people is a learning process; however, it’s also fostering healthier relationships, and a more effective way to communicate is something that feels fulfilling.