There are also other common symptoms of unresolved sadness and grief. Some of these are: too much worrying; thinking one's life is a failure; feeling that one can achieve nothing in life; feeling lonely; feeling that no one loves or likes one; tiredness and lack of interest in activities; anxiety about the future; chronic sad affect, either manifested or hidden under giggles or smiles; and inability to get proper sleep. In working with numerous candidates to priesthood and religious life we have found that about one-third of these candidates scored positively on these symptoms of repressed grief. During the period of formation it is good to help candidates resolve issues of grief and loss so that they are less burdened and can live happier lives.
ANGER
Anger is one of most powerful emotions, if we consider its profound impact on social relations as well as its effect on the person experiencing it. Anger is also one of the most misunderstood and unwanted emotions in our society. Yet, anger serves a number of positive functions, including the organisation and regulation of physiological and psychological processes related to self-defence and mastery, and the regulation of social and interpersonal behaviour. Anger is an energiser, an organiser and a social signal in communication (Strongman, 2003). Anger is manifest in the painful feelings and a desire or impulse for revenge resulting from the belief that we, or our friends, have been unfairly slighted (Lazarus, 1991).