Intermittent Explosive

Disorder 
Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Involves repeated, sudden episodes of

impulsive, aggressive, violent behavior
or angry verbal outbursts in which you
react completely out of proportion to
the situation. Road rage, domestic
abuse, throwing or breaking objects, or
other temper tantrums may be signs of
intermittent explosive disorder. Almost
any none provoke behavior on world This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

star.
 Signs
& Symptoms 
Individual experiencing intermittent explosive disorder may
display one of more of the following symptoms:

Rage
Irritability
Increasing sense of tension
Racing thoughts
Increased energy
Tremors
Palpitations
Chest tightness
Temper tantrums
Shouting
Being argumentative
Getting into fights
Threatening others
Assaulting people or animals
Damaging property
Diagnosis
To determine a diagnosis of intermittent
explosive disorder and eliminate other
physical conditions or mental health
disorders that may be causing your
symptoms, your doctor will likely:
Do a psychological evaluation. Your doctor
or mental health professional will talk to you
about your symptoms, thoughts, feelings and
behavior patterns.
Do a physical exam. Your doctor will try to
rule out physical problems or substance use
that could be contributing to your
symptoms. Your exam may include lab tests.
Use the criteria in the DSM-5. The
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-5), published by the
American Psychiatric Association, is often
used by mental health professionals to
diagnose mental conditions.
Why me???
Intermittent explosive disorder can begin as early as the age of 6.
It's more common in younger adults than in older adults. Many
causes can contribute to (IED) including:

 Environment. Most people with this disorder grew up in families

where explosive behavior and verbal and physical abuse were
common. Being exposed to this type of violence at an early age
makes it more likely these children will exhibit these same traits as
they mature.

 Genetics. The disorder to be passed down from parents to children.

 Differences in how the brain works. There may be differences in

the structure, function and chemistry of the brain in people with
intermittent explosive disorder compared to people who don't have
the disorder.

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 Treatment:

Psychotherapy
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• Identify which situations or behaviors may
trigger an aggressive response
• Learn how to manage anger and control
inappropriate responses using techniques such
as relaxation training, thinking differently
about situations and applying communication
and problem-solving skills given by a therapist.
• Group therapy is claimed to be more useful
than individual therapy.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Medication
• Some clients have been helped by anticonvulsant medication, beta-blockers, and
antipsychotics.
• Certain antidepressants – specifically selective serotonin reuptake
• Hypnoanxiolytics may worsen the condition by disinhibiting it.
• Mood regulators

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Statistics
■ It affects 1 in 12 US adults at some point throughout their life time.
■ It is most common in young men but show signs in early adolescents
■ It is also believed that nearly 82% of people who have IED are also
suffering from another mental health disorder, with the most common being
depression, bipolar disorder, and/or substance abuse disorders.
■ Of the individuals in the U.S. who were diagnosed with IED, 67.8% had
engaged in direct aggression against another person(s), 20.9% had
threatened aggression against another person(s), and 11.4% had engaged in
direct aggression against objects.
Sources:
 https://psychcentral.com/lib/treatment-for
-intermittent-explosive-disorder/?li_sour
ce=LI&li_medium=popular17

 https://www.omicsonline.org/united-state
s/intermittent-explosive-disorder-peer-re
viewed-pdf-ppt-articles/

 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/dise
ases/17786-intermittent-explosive-disord
er

 https://www.millcreekbehavioralhealth.c
om/behavioral-disorders/ied/symptoms-si
gns-causes/

 https://psychcentral.com/lib/who-is-at-ris
k-for-intermittent-explosive-disorder/
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