How often do you get angry?

Start by answering the following question.

How often during a typical week in the past month did you get irritated, mad, or angry?

A. Not at all

B. Once or twice a week

C. Three to five times a week

D. One or two times a day

E. Three times a day

F. Four or five times a day

G. Six to ten times a day

H. More than ten times a day

Be honest. And don’t just think of the times you flew into a rage — think of all the times you felt even the least bit angry.

If you answered A, B, or C, your anger is within a healthy, normal range. If you answered D, E, F, G, or H, your anger is probably excessive (you’re angrier than 75 percent of most people I have surveyed). Most people tend to underestimate the extent to which they feel things. This is partially due to memory — only the more dramatic episodes of anger come to mind. Also, anger is one of those emotions everyone wants to forget as quickly as possible. Make sure that you’re being honest with yourself about how often you feel angry.