THURSDAY, June 5 (HealthDay News) -- Levels of a brain chemical known as serotonin govern the way people react to unfair offers when they play the game of life, a new study indicates.

Serotonin, which carries messages between neurons, is involved in emotional control. One recent study found that the expression of anger in women was affected by variations in a gene governing the receptors for serotonin in brain cells.

Fathers with postpartum depression (PPD) have symptoms that are often different from the fluctuating moods and emotions that moms with PPD exhibit. As a rule, fathers have more tension and short-temperedness along with fear, anger, frustration, and helplessness. Dads with PPD are
concerned about their partners, their disrupted family life, and financial problems. They have increased expectations for themselves, decreased sleep, confusion over their new role, and increased responsibilities (especially if the mom has PPD).

FRIDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- People like to temper their emotions to the task at hand, and it can help them succeed, even if the emotions are not pleasurable ones, a new report suggests.

Individuals are motivated to increase their level of anger, for example, when they expect to complete a confrontational task in which anger might enhance performance, according to the study published in the April issue of Psychological Science. And reaching that frame of mind does seem to help.

Excessive and chronic stress has been known to cause many physical and psychological symptoms and conditions, including depression, sleep difficulties, high blood pressure, headaches and digestive issues.

Stress and anger have quite a bit in common, as they both cause the body to release hormones, particularly cortisol, and increased levels of cortisol aggravate the immune system, by suppressing it's ability to react properly.

Do you feel comfortable expressing your anger? I am the "peacemaker" in the family, and if I ever show that I'm frustrated or upset...heaven forbid angry..at work or home, the entire mood changes, because I'm not in my expected "role". Do you have this problem also? (I equate it to men not being "socially allowed" to express sadness or cry). Well, there is a new study about unexpressed (or uncontrolled) anger, and how it can actually not only hurt your stress level, but also damage your physical health as well!

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay: