Watch CBS News

Seen At 11: Inside The 'Anger Room,' A Breaking Way To Deal With Frustrations

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There's no escaping it -- everyone has frustrations.

But now there's a different -- and some would say radical -- new way to deal with anger.

It's known as an "Anger Room," where people pay to demolish everything in sight, without limitations. They take baseball bats to objects and break them into smithereens -- from desks and tables to glassware, mannequins and even TVs and computers -- and throw office chairs against the walls when they're through.

Stressed-out graduate student Souksanh Litthisack paid $25 for a five-minute session.

"I think it was therapeutic," he said. "I feel a lot better than when I came in here."

Anger Room founder Donna Alexander said the room is to help people cope with life's frustrations.

"I think they get gratification -- and relief of whatever they have going on in their personal lives or work issues," Alexander said. "When they come out, they're always smiling."

Depending on your level of frustration, Anger Room sessions last from five to 20 minutes.

Alexander added that the Anger Room may even actually stop someone from committing violence.

"It prevents them from lashing in the public world -- breaking other people's property, putting their hands on other people," she said.

But Dr. Barbara Greenberg, a psychologist, says it could do just the opposite.

"You can't smash your way through anger and stress problems," Greenberg said. "So people may leave with an increased level of anger, and then act angry inappropriately."

There's an Anger Room in Toronto, and in Poland, where not even teddy bears are spared.

Alexander -- who opened her first Anger Room in Dallas, Texas -- hopes to expand into New York.

"It think we'll have lines around the corner," Alexander said.

CBS2 showed the Anger Room video footage to some New Yorkers.

"I'll be the first customer," one person said.

And back in Texas, business is brisk.

"It was such an amazing adrenalin rush," one woman said. "I will definitely be back."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.