Bangalore: Your computer simply refuses to boot up or an unknown virus has corrupted some of your precious files.

Or it could even be as routine as a colleague trying to offload some of her work on you, smiling sweetly and you are convinced, being quite selfish.

"Anger in the workplace can affect both you and those working with you and needs to be dealt with quickly," says psychotherapist Sunanda Murthy.

The first to suffer may be your own health; anger raises blood pressure, makes the heart race faster, you break out into a sweat and your glandular secretions go awry.

Frequent outbreaks of uncontrolled anger can even affect your heart, say physicians.

Gastritis, ulcers, hyperacidity and colon disorders are other health problems anger makes you vulnerable to.

"Half the people I refer for psychiatric or medical help are persons prone to frequent fits of anger," says management consultant K. Panduranga.

Not always negative

Anger may not always be a negative thing, some behavioural therapists feel.

For example, your boss may openly express his doubt about your capability to see a major project through. You seethe with anger but it also makes you determined to do your best.

"But when you allow what are just minor irritations build up into anger and resentment, there is something seriously wrong and you may be in need of help," Dr. Murthy says.

Your computer taking its own sweet time to boot up need not make you get all worked up.

You can take a few deep breaths, perhaps, do some other chores.

Admitting to yourself "so what if a few minutes are lost? I am quick enough and can make for it" also helps.

Uncontrolled expressions of anger in the workplace harms relationships with colleagues or superiors and leads to a chain of negative reactions that can spill over into your personal life.

Many persons, who keep their anger just under control at the workplace, tend to blow off steam once they are home.

Spouses and children become the victims and personal relationships go sour. Many of the stress management techniques also help in overcoming frequent outbursts of anger, behavioural therapists say.

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