Which areas are working when you hold back an angry outburst? · Grey Matter

The provocation drives the amygdala, which pushes toward an immediate response through the hypothalamus and brainstem (heart rate, tension, a raised voice).

Which areas are working when you hold back an angry outburst?

The provocation drives the amygdala, which pushes toward an immediate response through the hypothalamus and brainstem (heart rate, tension, a raised voice). The anterior cingulate cortex registers the conflict between that impulse and the goal of staying calm, and calls for more control. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex holds the goal and the reappraisal (it was not meant as an insult), and acts on the amygdala mostly through the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Whether the outburst comes depends on how strong the alarm is against how well this control is working, and fatigue, stress and alcohol all weaken the control side.