SO, I sit down to write this feature on anger management. Step one - ring the chap from the British Association of Anger Management. Leave a message on his voicemail.

Step two - ring the association headquarters. Get another recorded greeting. Leave another message.

Step three - wait for a response. Feel myself getting angry as the minutes tick away and deadline approaches.

Well, at least I'm getting some insight into the subject, I suppose.

Welcome to the 21st century. We're all losing our rag, getting in a stress, steamed up, hot under the collar, our knickers in a twist, seeing the red mist descend before our hate-filled eyes.

Isn't it interesting that the Eskimos have dozens of different words for snow, and we've got so many ways of expressing our fury?

There's road rage, of course, so many of us suffer from that. And increasingly, it seems, work's getting us down, along with relationships, noise, litter, you name it - even remembering all those security codes and PIN numbers adds to the strain of everyday life.

It's not just the rabble who can't keep their cool either.

You'd think that Prince Harry, for example, would be happy with his lot - what with all those family homes, all that money, fawning hangers-on, fancy dress parties to go to, free this and that, no need to lift a finger for the rest of his life really. Even "work experience" means an extended holiday in Australia with best seats for the World Cup rugby thrown in. And what happens? He snaps when faced with a bunch of snappers.

And look at Wayne Rooney, obviously over-burdened with what the Americans like to call "issues". He's paid tens of thousands every week for playing football - something most 19-year-olds would gladly do for nothing - yet his face is constantly contorted into a scowl and he can't stop himself effing and blinding at refs.

Why are we so angry? If only that bloke from the British Association of Anger Management would ring. Hanging around like this makes me so-o cross. Ah, there goes the phone now...

"Anger's been around for thousands of years," says Mike Fisher, BAAM founder and director. "But it's only recently that the media have really woken up to it, not least because in the past five years our association has substantially raised awareness.

"There's no doubt, though, that anger is on the increase - in our streets, supermarkets, schools - even though unemployment and inflation are low."

Look, Mike, don't make me angry. The question I asked was: "Why?"

"Ah, yes. Well, mainly because we have so many expectations - we've got mortgages to pay and we're desperate to keep up with the Joneses - and that puts us under pressure, which causes stress and that's when we get angry.

"Also, technology can often mean more work, not less, and it's constantly changing, so we're under more pressure to keep up."

Mike features in a TV programme being shown tonight, Can't Stop Losing My Cool, which sees a group of six particularly angry people take part in a weekend-long course at BAAM's base at East Grinstead, West Sussex.

"It was probably the most challenging two days of my life, involving adults, that is," says Mike.

"Most challenging of all, though, are teenagers, especially 14 to 16-year-olds."

He estimates that 60 per cent of over-13s are "out of control".

Really?

"Yes, really, and that's a conservative figure, in my view."

What does he mean by "out of control"? "Well, they can be very disruptive in school, disrespectful to their parents or disillusioned with society as a whole. They can be verbally or physically aggressive.

"An incredibly high percentage of crime is committed by teenagers. Fifty thousand kids play truant every day of the week. They do it because they're bored and frustrated - throwing money at education isn't the answer, it's giving these kids something to do that interests them, and listening to what they have to say."

Can't Stop Losing My Cool goes out tonight. But it's on BBC3, so you can't watch it unless you have Freeview, cable or Sky. And it's on at midnight, so you'll have to stay up late. Calm down now.

Mike Fisher's book, Beating Anger, is released by Rider Books on March 10.

The British Association of Anger Management has helped more than 5,000 individuals throughout the UK as well as organisations such as the Army, NHS, Youth Criminal Justice Board and companies including Ford and Coca-Cola.

A weekend residential retreat costs £660, and a 10-week programme (three hours a week) in London costs £495. For more information, and to Gauge Your Rage, visit www.angermanage. co.uk