It is not uncommon for people to have an episode where they lose their temper and have a sudden outburst of anger. The episode could have been triggered by excess stress, anxiety, worry, or uncertainty the person is experiencing. However, when someone has frequent episodes of unexpected and sudden anger outbursts, they could have intermittent explosive disorder.
What Is Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)?
IED is a type of mental health disorder that causes a person to lose their temper and become angry without any notice. Usually, there is no reason for such an outburst compared to what triggered it. People with IED could act out verbally or physically. They could damage their own personal property, attack their loved ones, or even complete strangers.
People with IED are usually aware of their outbursts but feel like they lose control during the episodes. You don’t plan anger outbursts; they happen when something triggers them. They happen quickly and rapidly and usually do not last for more than 30 minutes. Oftentimes, the individual feels extreme guilt and remorse after the episode. In between the outbursts, individuals behave appropriately and appear to function normally.
Who Does Intermittent Explosive Disorder Affect?
IED generally affects children at least six or older, adolescents, and young adults. Most adult cases involve individuals under the age of 40. IED is also more prevalent in males than females.
How Common Is IED?
The National Institute of Mental Health conducted a study on IED in 2006. At that time, they found that approximately 7.3% had this condition, accounting for 11.5 and 16 million people, with an average of 43 outbursts over their lifetime. Current research estimates the occurrence of IED is still around 7%.
Symptoms and Causes
Prior to an outburst, people generally report experiencing various symptoms right before and then noticing an immense sense of relief afterward, followed by extreme guilt and remorse. Common symptoms can include:
- Irritability
- Increase tension
- Rage
- Increased energy
- Increased anxiety
- Tremors
- Chest tightness
- Heart palpitations
- Racing thoughts
- Poor communication
After an episode, common systems generally include:
- A sense of relief
- Fatigue
- Shame
- Guilt
- Depression
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Experts do not fully understand the precise cause of intermittent explosive disorder. However, research suggests it is related to several factors, including:
- Environment factors: Experiencing one or more traumatic childhood events, being abused in childhood, or having witnessed verbal and physical abuse as a child can contribute to developing IED.
- Genetic factors: having a family history of IED can increase the risk of developing this mental health disorder much more than having a family history of other mental health disorders. A family history of substance use and co-occurring disorders can also contribute.
- Biological factors: Having low levels of serotonin and other brain abnormalities in the part that is responsible for inhibition and arousal could increase the risk of developing IED.
In addition to these potential causes of IED, other common risk factors that could contribute to developing this condition are:
- Substance use disorders
- Current or prior anger issues
- Untreated mental health disorders
- Unresolved trauma
- Being male
- Previous history of being physically or verbally abused
- Being between 13 and the early 20s
What Is the Difference Between Bipolar and IED?
The primary difference between bipolar disorder and intermittent explosive disorder is how they are classified. Bipolar disorder is considered a mood disorder, while IED is considered an impulse control disorder. Bipolar disorder also involves periods of mania and depression depending on the type one has.
Those with bipolar disorder often experience a range of symptoms, including sadness, irritability, excitability, and elevated energy levels. Furthermore, mania and depressive episodes last much longer, sometimes for weeks. However, some people with bipolar disorder could have co-occurring IED.
How Do I Know If I Have Intermittent Explosive Disorder?
Intermittent explosive disorder episodes usually are disproportionate to what triggered them. So, if you find yourself easily angered and have an outburst over something minor, you might have this condition. For example, you lose at a video game you are normally very good at. You become angry, lose your temper, throw the controller at the TV, and break the TV screen.
Other things to consider and ask yourself are:
- Do you become physically aggressive toward other people or animals when angered?
- Do you deliberately destroy your own property or the property of others?
- Do you throw temper tantrums over minor issues, such as when someone asks you to take the trash out or when you don’t get something you want?
- Do you experience frequent bouts of road rage?
- Do you engage in self-harming behaviors?
- Do you become verbally aggressive and hope to pick a physical fight during an anger outburst?
- Do you feel like you lose all sense of control and experience intense feelings of rage and anger?
- Do you experience shame, guilt, and remorse immediately following an outburst?
- Do you notice you feel a sense of relief afterward?
- Do you feel tired without any energy after an outburst?
- Does your body feel tense and shake while having an outburst?
If you answered yes to any of these, you could have IED.
Is IED Curable?
IED is a chronic mental health disorder that cannot be cured. However, it can be effectively managed using a combination of evidence-based and holistic therapies and medications, including:
- CBT
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Anger management therapy
- Meditation, mindfulness, and lifestyle changes
- Antidepressants and mood stabilizers
- Trauma therapy
Contact Renewal Health Group to Treat Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Take the first steps to improved mental health and well-being while overcoming intermittent explosive disorder with help from Renewal Health Group. We offer comprehensive mental health treatments tailored to your specific needs at our California facilities. Our caring and supportive team helps you learn how to effectively manage your condition to lead an active and productive life with a reduced risk of unexpected anger outbursts. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation and learn more about our treatment programs.
