Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Did you know that the term “intermittent explosive disorder” did not appear in the DSM until the publication of the third edition in 1980? It was classified as a “disorder of impulsive aggression”. In the DSM-I, this disorder was called “passive-aggressive personality. It was categorized as “persistent reaction to frustration with irritability, temper tantrums, and destructive behavior.” This disorder became “explosive personality” in DSM-II in 1968. Individuals with explosive personalities were “aggressive individuals” who exhibited violent behavior, and were typically over responsive to environmental pressures. Criteria for the disorder, however, were poorly operationalized and problematic. For example, individuals who were generally aggressive or impulsive in between the aggressive episodes could not receive a diagnosis of intermittent explosive disorder. “However, since individuals with impulsive aggression are also generally impulsive and aggressive between their more severe outbursts, this exclusion ruled out the vast majority of individuals who can now be diagnosed as having intermittent explosive disorder.”(DSM). The revisions of the criterion for the DSM-IV in 1994 allowed more work to be done, which developed research that was necessary to begin intermittent explosive disorder.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) is a behavior disorder described by brief circumstances of disproportionate wrath and defiances. Other names for IED are rage attacks or anger attacks. IED is in the category of Impulse Control Disorders, which include failure of outermost difficulty in controlling unfriendly consequences. “The signs of victims with Intermittent Explosive Disorder before they act out, include pounding headaches, racing heartbeat, and chest constriction. These signs may be followed by tingling, tremors, or hearing an echo. The condition is characterized by failure to resist aggressive impulses, resulting in serious assaults or destruction. Examples of this behavior include threatening to or actually hurting another person and purposefully breaking or damaging an object of value. Researchers suggest many possible causes for IED. Some researchers believe IED may result from abnormalities in the areas of the brain that regulate behavioral inhibition. Another study suggests a genetic component that is passed down from parents to their children. Other studies concluded that many people with IED grew up in families where physical abuse was common. The sufferers have received harsh punishments from their parents and, therefore, have strongly negative views of other people. They may have seen one or both of their parents or siblings acting out in these explosive violent ways. Throwing or breaking objects, domestic abuse, road rage or other tantrums may be signs of IED.”(DSM).

The failure to control impulses refers to immerse in violent behavior, sexual behavior, and self-abusive behaviors. What comes to your mind when you hear IED? Most people find it being violent devices, but in America one in fourteen American adults would think Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Regardless of the nature of the impulsive aggressive outbursts, the core feature of intermittent explosive disorder is the negligence to control impulsive aggressive behavior in response to individualized experiences in provocation that would not result in aggressive outbursts. A person may describe aggressive episodes as “spells” in which the explosive behavior is preexisted by a sense of pressure or arousal and is followed immediately by a sensation of consolation. Later on the person may feel as if he is upset, regretful, or embarrassed about the aggressive behavior.

IED is mostly associated with young men and history often involve frequent traffic accidents, moving violations, and maybe sexual impulsivity. These patients may display sensitivity to alcohol. Not only young men, but children too. A child with IED can’t