Intermittant Explosive Disorder - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Intermittent explosive disorder ( IED ) behavioral disorder. It is characterized by failure to resist aggressive impulses. People with intermittent explosive disorder have a problem with controlling their temper. Intermittent explosive disorder occurs most often in young men and may affect as many as 7.3 percent of adults in the United States. Intermittent explosive disorder (IED), belongs to the greater family of impulse-control disorders as categorized in Axis I of the DSM-IV along with kleptomania , pyromania , pathlogical gambling , and other impulsive personality disorders. Impulse-control disorders are primarily characterized by the experience of impulses that are difficult or even impossible to resist, even if the impulses may be harmful to self or others. Impulse aggression is non-premeditated, and is characterized as a disproportionate reaction to any provocation felt by the patient. Patients have reported affective symptoms prior to the outburst, e.g., tension , preceding mood changes and energy changes. The cause of intermittent explosive disorder appears to be a combination of biological and environmental factors. Being exposed to this type of violence at an early age makes it more likely for these children to exhibit these same traits as they mature.

There may also be a genetic component, causing the disorder to be passed down from parents to children. It is probably more common than realized and may be an important cause of violent behavior. Intermittent explosive disorder is more common in men. Explosive eruptions, usually lasting 10 to 20 minutes, often result in injuries and the deliberate destruction of property. Explosive episodes may be associated with affective symptoms such as irritability or rage, increased energy, and racing thoughts during the aggressive impulses and acts, and rapid onset of depressed mood and fatigue after the acts. Some individuals may also report that their aggressive episodes are often preceded or accompanied by symptoms such as tingling, tremors, palpitations, chest tightness, head pressure, or hearing an echo. Treatment is achieved through both cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotropic medication regimens. Therapy aids in helping the patient recognize the impulses in hopes of achieving a level of awareness and control of the outbursts, along with treating the emotional stress that accompanies these episodes. Multiple drug regimens are frequently indicated for IED patients. Patients often need psychological treatment along with medication treatment, and it is often very helpful to base their psychological treatment on addiction-based models.

Causes of Intermittant Explosive Disorder

Common Causes and risk factors of Intermittant Explosive Disorder:

• This disorder grew up in families where explosive behavior and verbal and physical abuse were common.
• Low levels of brain glucose (sugar) metabolism.
• Tendency to misinterpret.

Signs and Symptoms of Intermittant Explosive Disorder

Sign and symptoms of Intermittant Explosive Disorder

• Head pressure
• Hearing an echo
• Tingling
• Tremor
• Palpitations
• Chest tightness

Treatment of Intermittant Explosive Disorder

Common Treatment of Intermittant Explosive Disorder

• Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), gabapentin (Neurontin) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).
• Anti-anxiety agents in the benzodiazepine family, such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax).
• Mood regulators like lithium and propranolol (Inderal).
• Antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil).
• Group counseling sessions, focused on rage management, also have proved helpful.
• Some people have found relaxation techniques useful in neutralizing anger.