If there is one thing that I have learned thus far in my life, I have learned that anger is one of the most harmful emotions. Hanging onto anger kills little pieces of you until all you have left is that anger.

Freud said that anger turned inwards is the definition of depression. After suffering from severe depression, I have to agree that Freud may have been right about this. I was usually angry at myself for things out of my control. I would be angry at myself if one of my friends was upset and I couldn't do anything to help them. With this unjustified anger, I used unhealthy coping methods and lowered my standards for the guys I dated. Needless to say, these were not the best ideas I ever had.

Because I usually focus anger on myself, I don't generally get out-of-control often. However, my family is not very much like me. I have learned from them how harmful holding onto anger can be through passive aggressive or through direct means. Whenever there was an explosion of anger, it did nothing but harm everyone in the house. 

I have a friend who is consumed by his anger and let's it control his life. He thinks it's something he can't control and will always have to deal with. With this uncontrollable anger comes alienation of people in his life. He doesn't speak to his mother and while he is in an argument with someone he alienates them completely. This is hurtful to everyone and leaves him entirely alone to cope with whatever is causing his anger. 

Hanging onto anger is detrimental to you and everyone around you. Anger kills a piece of you if you hold onto it for too long. So try to release that anger or learn to forgive people. Don't wait until it's too late.