Chronic Anger, Hostility May Make You Sick
(NY, Reuters Health, 7/8/05)

According to the July 2005 issue of the Wellness Letter of the University of California, Berkeley, scientists believe that chronic anger is associated with poor health. In fact, two new studies link hostility to an increased risk of dying, and a third indicates that nearly 40 % of ischemic stroke victims had felt anger or experienced upsetting circumstances within two hours prior to the stroke. Scientists speculate that persistent anger weakens the immune system, either by directly increasing damaging stress hormones, or by triggering negative behaviors like smoking and drinking. Dr. John Swartzberg, the editor of the report, advises people to try changing the circumstances that fuel the anger, as well as using relaxation therapy, meditation and other positive approaches.

(UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, July 2005)