World poverty, cruelty - there are things you should get angry about. When anger is tainting your daily life, here's who'll help you contain the rage.

Ever blown up when you least expected it or been seized by trolley rage, road rage, even desk or queue rage? You're not the only one and experts suggest we're living in the Age of Rage.

Anger is the nasty emotion we don't like to talk about, but it's just another mood state of being alive - how we handle it is the real challenge.

How to contain the rage

• Don't charge at the person bugging you. Take a step back (literally) and a deep breath.
• Breathe deep and repeat "take it easy" to yourself.
• If you're on the receiving end, imagine a clear perspex barrier between you and the angry person. Adjust your posture so you're sitting or standing straight and feel physically centred.
• When you're alone, let out the stress with some physical activity - play tennis or rip up some old newspapers!
• Write an angry letter, but rip it up the next day - don't mail it. You've already got the rage out of your system.

Who can you call?

If you need help in coping with someone else's anger or trying to get a handle on your own, check out these contacts.

Relationships Australia
Call 1800 801 578
http://www.relationships.com.au/

Qualified counsellors and psychologists can help with all sorts of relationship problems.

Lifeline (website under development)
Call 13 11 14

Can put you in contact with anger management programs.

Australian Psychological Society and the Psychologist Referral Service
Call 1800 333 497 or (03) 8662 3300
Email referral@psychsociety.com.au
http://www.aps.psychsociety.com.au/ and click on 'Servicing the community'

Will refer you to a qualified psychologist in your area.

Kids Helpline
Call 1800 551 800

If one of your kids is having problems and needs someone (other than you!) to talk to.

Some others to try

Crisis Counselling
Call 1800 656 463

Can refer you to anger counselling programs.

South Pacific Private Hospital
Call 1800 063 332
http://www.spph.com.au/

Based in Curl Curl, NSW, but can help with issues and referrals to professionals throughout Australia.

Parent Line (NSW)

Call 13 20 55

Parent Support Service (ACT)

Call (02) 6278 3995

Parent Helpline (Vic)

Call 13 22 89 (Vic only)

Parentline (Qld)

Call 1300 301 300

Parentline (WA)

Call 1800 654 432 (outside Perth metro) or (08) 9272 1466

Also check out http://www.psychologypage.com/. It has lots of links for you to explore.

More reading

The Dance of Anger by Dr Harriet Godhor Lerner ($25.25, HarperCollins)
Don't sweat the small stuff... and it's all small stuff by Richard Carlson ($16.40, Transworld)
Everyone Can Win by Helena Cornelius and Shoshana Faire ($18.95, Simon & Schuster)