Frustration is one of those words that has a range of meanings.
For some people, frustration may mean ‘anger’. I view anger as a different mindset. I believe anger involves a different mix of neuro-transmitters/chemistry and neurons. So I encourage people to use the word ‘angry’ when they are angry take care when they use the word ‘frustration’.
For some people, frustration may mean ‘annoyance’. However, I view annoyance as a different mindset…halfway between ‘neutral’, i.e., feeling Ho-Humm about something and feeling anger.
Frustration is about not getting our way and feeling hard done by, like a victim. It's being troubled about the inability to control people, processes, and situations. It's about seeing problems without seeing solutions.
Sometimes frustration is fleeting...like a hesitation that precedes or grows into anger.
Sometimes frustration is a feeling of annoyance that tugs at us…negative mental thoughts that stall us and make us inactive.
I think the lawyers have it right – Frustration prevents things from being successfully completed.
So, for me, frustration is a very bad mental state, worse than anger. At least, anger has the potential to generate action – including positive, constructive action. Whereas, frustration tends to either remove positive action and when it does generate action that action is primarily victim-speak [cries for help].
And – as Eckhart Tolle said, “Most people respond to a cry for help with a cry for help.”
Most people respond to frustration with frustration.
Frustration, a self-inflicted misery, enjoys company.