Intermittent

Explosive
 ▪

Characterized by failure to resist

aggressive impulses

▪Serious ▪ Verbal
assaults aggression
▪ Property
destructions
 Sense of
tension or
arousal

Explosive • Lasts for less

behavior than 30
minutes
(outbursts) • impulsive

Sense of
relief

Regret
▪ Beginning in
late childhood
or adolescence

▪ Found in 2.7%
of the general
population

▪Most patients
are young men
Degree of aggressiveness is
out of proportion to the
precipitating psychosocial
stress
▪Displays verbal or physical
aggression toward property,
animal, or other people,
approximately twice weekly
for a period of 3 months
(doesn’t necessarily result in
damage to property or injury)
▪A person can also
be diagnosed if they
have 3 aggressive
outbursts that result
in damage or injury
within a 12-month
period
▪The aggressive episodes
are not accounted for by
another mental disorder,
substance abuse, or a
general medical condition
May result in
 Factors

+
Biological Environmental
-hereditary -victims of verbal and physical abuse
 therapy
-behavioral modification
-group counseling and anger management
sessions
- Relaxation techniques

medication
- Anti-depressants
- Anti-anxiety agents (benzodiazepene)
- Anticonvulsants
- Mood stabilizers