Frustration or Anger
This is one of those days in which nothing is right, and what can we do? I often heard, "You are angry," but I was starting to think, angry or frustrated? People too often misunderstand being mad with being frustrated, and these two emotions are different. Anger is a natural response to situations in which we feel offended or wronged doing and is usually triggered by external factors, for example, injustice, humiliation, or illnesses, etc. Frustration, on the other side, is dissatisfaction with specific situations. When a person fails to fulfill his/her desires up to her expected level, he/she often feels "frustrated." It is a mix of feeling hopeless, discouraged, sad, and disappointed. For example, we try to teach someone a new concept. After multiple attempts, they do not get it; our usual emotional response will be getting frustrated.
So next time when people said to you, "You are angry, or you look angry," think about these two feelings so you can identify what emotion you are displaying now, frustration or anger.
And then, what is the difference between being angry and being frustrated? A basic one is that frustration is a slow, steady response, but anger is quick and aggressive. Frustration is a quiet emotion that builds inside and does not show to the outside. At the same time, anger is a more explosive emotion that cannot be expressed verbally or physically.
We may become frustrated because we cannot control COVID-19, politics, or our financial or family circumstances. What we can do right now is taking care of ourselves by using healthy coping skills. We can do a few things, reading a good book while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee, watching a classic movie, listening to upbeat music, or meditation. Do what is enjoyable for you until the situation that we cannot control is gone, and if you need help with managing frustration or anger, get help, and find a therapist. And that is the difference between anger and frustration from my window.
