I took anger management classes. Here’s what they get wrong about the world

The course focuses on taming a ubiquitous emotion. But what about addressing its root causes?

There are six rules of anger management, says my anger workbook. The first rule: STOP, think, take a look at the BIG picture." Then, because why use lower-case when you've got capitals: ANGER MANAGEMENT IS A THINKING PERSON'S GAME!"

But thinking, it turns out soon into the course, is discouraged. I'm not here to psychoanalyze you," says our group leader, a self-styled anger management guru. I'm just here to help you follow the program. If you follow the program, you'll see results." Later, after one question too many, he tells me: The problem with you, Olivia, is that you like to complicate things."