This is a condition in which repeated and sudden bouts of aggressive, impulsive, or violent behavior happen. It may also cause angry verbal outbursts. Sometimes, when you have extreme reactions (including road rage, domestic abuse, breaking or throwing objects) to certain situations you may have this condition. It is called intermittent explosive disorder and it causes major distress each time symptoms happen. People with this disorder may face problems with relationships, the law, school, or work.
Usually, this condition lasts long periods but the severity of the symptoms lessens over time. Healthcare professionals recommend talk therapy and medicines to treat this disorder.
Symptoms
Impulsive attacks often occur suddenly without any warnings. In most cases, these outbursts last 30 minutes. Moreover, people with this condition feel most of the time irritable, impulsive, aggressive, or angry. Check below some symptoms that occur before an aggressive bout:
- Irritability
- Rage
- Tingling
- Shaking
- Fast heartbeat
- Chest tightness
- More energy and tension
The behavioral and verbal outbursts in most cases are too intense for the situation. When it occurs people do not think about what might happen as an outcome. These include:
- Temper tantrums
- Shouting
- Shoving, pushing, or slapping
- Physical fights
- Property damage
- Harming people or animals
- Heated arguments
- Angry and long speeches
After it stops, you may feel guilty for previous actions. If you experience any of the previous symptoms, it is advised to see a doctor immediately.
Causes
In most cases, this mental disorder happens in childhood (after 6 years old) or during the teenage years. Younger adults are more prone to develop this condition than older ones. However, experts do not understand the exact cause of this condition but they think environment, learned behaviors, genetics, or certain differences in the brain could play a role.
- Genetics – There are some genes that may react more easily to stress, which potentially may lead to intermittent explosive disorder. However, some healthcare providers suspect that this gene may run in families.
- Environment – There are a lot of people who grow up in families where verbal and physical abuse and explosive behavior are common. In such cases, they are more prone to develop this mental disorder.
- Brain – Doctors suspect that some differences in how the brain works also could play a role. These include structure, function, and chemistry.
Risk Factors
The following factors may increase the risk of developing intermittent explosive disorder. Examples include:
- Physical abuse – If you were abused in childhood or going through stressful, painful, or shocking events may elevate your risk of getting this condition.
- History of mental disorders – People who have an antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and disruptive behaviors (including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD) have an increased risk of developing this mental condition. Misuse of alcohol and drugs also may increase the risk.
What Are The Potential Complications of Intermittent Explosive Disorder?
Not treating this condition may lead to some complications. For example:
- Relationship problems – Physical abuse and verbal fights that occur frequently may lead to relationship problems, divorce, and persistent stress.
- Problems at home, school, or work – People who experience intermittent explosive disorder often may have money problems, trouble with the law, car accidents, and others.
- Mood swings – Anxiety and depression are common in people with this mental health problem.
- Misuse of alcohol and drugs
- Physical health problems – These include diabetes, hypertension, ulcers, stroke, heart disease, and others.
- Self-harm – Suicide thoughts or attempts can also happen in people with this disorder.
How to Prevent Intermittent Explosive Disorder?
However, it is roughly impossible to prevent this condition because experts do not fully understand the cause.
People with this mental health problem usually cannot control this condition without treatment. Make sure you take medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor and do not use alcohol or illegal drugs.
You should also avoid upsetting situations and manage stress, which may help to ease the symptoms and reduce their frequency.
Diagnosis
Healthcare professionals usually diagnose this condition and ask you questions about symptoms and medical history. They also will perform some tests to exclude other health conditions that cause similar symptoms. For example:
- Mental health evaluation – This procedure involves discussions about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
- Physical examination is usually done to exclude other conditions that cause symptoms similar to intermittent explosive disorder. These include abuse of alcohol and drugs and others.
Treatment
Doctors usually prescribe talk therapy (psychotherapy) and medications to treat this mental health problem.
Talk Therapy
This treatment option focuses on building skills that may help to control the symptoms. In most cases, cognitive behavioral therapy type is used to treat those who suffer from intermittent explosive disorder. It helps to:
- Find triggers including behaviors and situations that potentially could make symptoms appear.
- Practice relaxation techniques including relaxing imagery, yoga, deep breathing, and others.
- Cognitive restructuring – It helps to develop new thinking ways that help cope with frustrating situations. As a result, you may begin to react and view an event otherwise.
- Communication improvements – During this procedure you will learn how to think about a better response compared to the first thing that comes to mind.
Medications
There are several types of medicines that help with intermittent explosive disorder. These include antidepressants (usually serotonin reuptake inhibitors also called SSRIs), anticonvulsant mood stabilizers, and others. Sometimes, people need long-term treatment to control and prevent explosive outbursts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can intermittent explosive disorder (IED) be cured?
Yes, but to cure it you should work hard including a trusted therapist, take medicines regularly, make some lifestyle changes (including avoiding alcohol and quitting smoking), learn self-care strategies, and others. For more details, discuss it with your mental healthcare professional.
What may happen if IED is left untreated?
Those who do not treat this condition may experience certain complications. These include problems with relationships (including at work, home, or school), physical abuse, and legal problems. If you suspect you have this mental health problem, do not hesitate to visit a doctor.
What is the best treatment option for people with IEDs?
Talk therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat this mental disorder. This procedure is also called psychotherapy and it remains the primary treatment for IED. However, doctors may recommend some lifestyle changes and medicines along with talk therapy to improve the effectiveness of the treatment. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare professional.
