Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)

A mental health illness known as intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is characterized by sporadic impulsive angry outbursts or aggressiveness. The incidents produce a great deal of distress since they are out of proportion to what caused them.

Intermittent explosive disorder patients have a low threshold for difficulty and adversity. Apart from the occasional fits of rage, they act normally and appropriately. Temper outbursts, verbal spats, physical altercations, or acts of aggressiveness could be involved.

One of many impulse control problems is intermittent explosive disorder.

Anxiety disorders, externalizing disorders, intellectual disabilities, autism, and bipolar disorder are the most prevalent mental health conditions among those with IED, accounting for almost 80% of the population.

IED is a chronic condition that can last for years, however, as people age, the severity of the outbursts may lessen. You will receive counseling and medication for your condition in order to help you manage your aggressive impulses.

Also check about – Avoidant Personality Disorder

IED (intermittent explosive disorder) can affect both adults and children 6 years of age and older. Adults with IEDs are often under 40 years of age.

People assigned male at birth (AMAB) experience IED more frequently than people assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Symptoms:

A pattern of angry outbursts that are excessive in comparison to the circumstance or event that sparked them is the primary symptom of intermittent explosive disorder. Even though people with IEDs are aware that their angry outbursts are improper, they feel powerless to restrain themselves when they are having an episode.

The violent outbursts:

• Show impulsivity (not planned).
• Occur quickly after being triggered.
• Be limited to 30 minutes.
• Cause a great deal of distress
• Cause issues in job, school, and/or home.

Examples of how rage may appear are as follows:

• Outbursts of anger.
• Arguments over the phone, possibly include yelling and/or threatening behavior.
• The act of physically harming another person or an animal, such as by pushing, slapping, punching, or using force.
• Damage to property or items, including kicking, hurling, or destroying objects, and slamming doors
• Domestic abuse.
• Driving fury

There are both mild and extreme anger outbursts. They could involve inflicting severe enough injuries to need medical care or perhaps result in death.

Complications:

Intermittent explosive disorder patients are more likely to experience:

Deteriorated interpersonal connections: Others frequently think of them as perpetually furious. There could be frequent verbal altercations or physical abuse. Relationship issues, divorce, and stress in the family might result from these behaviors.

Issues at the workplace, home, or school: Other side effects of the intermittent explosive disorder can include losing your job, being suspended from school, getting into a car accident, having money issues, or having legal issues.

Difficulties with mood: Intermittent explosive disorder frequently co-occurs with mood disorders such as anxiety and sadness.

Alcohol and other substance usage issues: Intermittent explosive disorder frequently co-occurs with drug or alcohol issues.

Health issues: Medical disorders include high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease; stroke, ulcers, and chronic pain are more prevalent.

Self-harm: Sometimes people attempt suicide or cause themselves harm.

Also check about – Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Treatment

The most common form of treatment for intermittent explosive disorder is psychotherapy (talk therapy), which aims to alter attitudes toward anger and aggression. Depending on your age and symptoms, a medicine may potentially be used as part of your treatment.

Remission is the end goal of treatment for IED, which implies that your symptoms (anger outbursts) disappear or that you improve to the point where just one or two somewhat intense symptoms remain. For those who don’t experience remission, maintaining one’s own and other people’s safety as well as significant improvement in the quantity, potency, and regularity of angry outbursts are reasonable goals.

The main form of treatment for intermittent explosive disorder is psychotherapy (talk therapy), particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Connect with “Best Clinical Psychologist near me” at TalktoAngel for your mental health concerns.

CBT is a goal-oriented, structured form of therapy. You are assisted in closely examining your thoughts and feelings by a therapist or psychologist. You’ll learn how your thoughts impact your behavior. Through CBT, you can unlearn harmful behaviors and mental patterns and learn to think more positively.

People with IED learn how to handle challenging situations in daily life through CBT, which may help them avoid having angry thoughts that could lead to explosive outbursts.

Particular methods used in CBT for intermittent explosive disorder by mental health specialists include:

Cognitive restructuring entails modifying false presumptions and unproductive ideas regarding frustrating circumstances and imagined threats.

Training in relaxation: Deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, which involves tensing and relaxing various muscle groups while envisioning scenarios that make you angry, can help you react less strongly to triggering circumstances.

Training for coping skills entails acting out scenarios that could set off an explosive episode and practicing positive reactions like walking away.

Relapse prevention involves informing those who have IED that impulsive aggressive behavior recurrence is typical and should be considered as a lapse or “slip” rather than a failure.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is a disease of the mind. As with all mental health issues, receiving assistance is important as soon as symptoms start to show to help lessen the impact on your life. You can manage your thoughts and behaviors with the aid of treatment plans that mental health specialists can provide.

Families and close friends of people with IEDs frequently go through stress, depression, and isolation. If you’re exhibiting these signs, it’s critical to look after your mental health and get assistance. Take action to safeguard yourself and your kids if you’re in a relationship with someone who has intermittent explosive disorder.

Feel free to consult with the best Clinical Psychologist at TalktoAngel for your mental health concerns