Temper tantrums cost £16bn

Don't bottle it up, say psychologists

Lashing out with a lost temper costs the British economy an estimated £16bn a year - and every Briton £420, claims a survey.

Smashed crockery and broken glasses were the most common victims of temper tantrums, according to the survey by internet bank Cahoot.

Men's rage costs an average of £440 a year, women's not far behind on £400.

One in five of the 700 people questioned admitted being prone to road rage outbursts, while 7% found public transport a trigger for angry outbursts.

One in ten became irate in queues - about the same number who found supermarket trolleys their anger nemesis.

But more than half said that being put on hold on the phone was the best way to enrage them.

Immune problems

Dr Donna Dawson, a psychologist, said: "Rage is a complicated thing. More often than not it is caused by fear - fear of loss, fear of injury or even fear of disappointment.

"We are taught that anger is a harmful and negative emotion but it can be useful and positive depending on how it is expressed.

"It is true that angry feelings are best let out than held inside our bodies and minds, but we must ensure that this anger is channelled outwards in a 'positive' way, into action or a change of attitude."

She suggested that unresolved anger contributed to the release of stress hormones, which can weaken the immune system by destroying key immune cells.

Only a quarter of those questioned said they were able to channel their anger in a "positive way".