These intermittent, explosive flashes will cause you considerable distress, negatively impacting relationships, work, and school, and they can have legal and financial consequences.
Intermittent explosive disorder is a chronic disease that can last for many years; the severity of outbreaks can be reduced with age. Treatment includes medication and psychotherapy to help you control your aggressive impulses.
Intermittent explosive disorder symptoms
Explosive eruptions occur suddenly, with little or no warning, and usually last less than 30 minutes. These episodes can occur frequently or be separated by a few weeks or months of non-aggression. Less severe verbal outbreaks can occur between bouts of physical aggression. You may be irritable, impulsive, aggressive, or chronically angry most of the time.
Aggressive episodes may be preceded or accompanied by:
- Fury
- Irritability
- Increased energy
- Racing thoughts
- Pricking
- Tremor
- Heartbeat
- Chest tightness
Explosive verbal and behavioral outbreaks are out of proportion to the situation, without thinking of consequences, and may include:
- Tantrums
- Rants
- Heated arguments
- Shout
- Slapping, pushing, or pressing
- Physical fights
- Damage to property
- Threatening or attacking people or animals
You may feel a sense of relief and exhaustion after the episode. Later, you may feel remorse, regret, or embarrassment.
When to see a doctor
If you recognize their behavior in the description of Intermittent explosive disorder, talk with your doctor about treatment options or ask for a referral to a provider of mental health services.
Intermittent explosive disorder Causes
The exact cause of the intermittent explosive disorder is unknown, but several environmental and biological factors probably cause it. The disease usually begins in childhood – after the age of 6 years – or adolescence and is more common in people under the age of 40 years
- Environment
.. Most people with this disorder grew up in families where expected explosive behavior and verbal and physical abuse were. Being exposed to this kind of violence at an early age, making it more likely that these children will show the same traits as they mature.
- Genetics
There may be a genetic component causing the disorder that is passed from parents to children.
- Brain chemistry
There may be differences in how serotonin, an important chemical messenger in the brain, works in people with intermittent explosive disorder.
Intermittent explosive disorder Risk factors
These factors increase the risk of developing the intermittent explosive disorder:
- The history of physical violence
People who have been abused during childhood or experienced multiple traumatic events have an increased risk of intermittent explosive disorder.
- The history of other mental health disorders
People with antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, or other disorders that include disruptive behavior, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, are at increased risk of intermittent explosive disease.
Intermittent explosive disorder Preparing for your appointment
If you are concerned that you are having repeated emotional outbursts, talk with your family doctor or make an appointment with someone who specializes in treating mood disorders, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker. Here is some information to help make the most of your appointment
What can you do
Before the appointment, make a list:
- The symptoms you are experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the cause of the destination.
- Key personal information, including any significant stresses or recent life changes
- All drugs, vitamins, and other supplements that you take, including doses
- Questions to ask your doctor
Examples of questions you can ask your doctor include:?
- Why am I having these outbursts of anger?
- Do I need any tests? Do these tests require any special preparation?
- Is this condition temporary or long-term?
- What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
- Are there any side effects from the treatment?
- Whether there are any alternatives to the primary approach that you’re suggesting?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
- Is there a standard alternative medicine you are prescribing?
- How long does the treatment to work?
- Whether or not you have any printed materials, can I have them? What sites do you recommend?
Do not hesitate to ask other questions.
What can we expect from your doctor?
Your doctor will likely ask you a number of questions. Be prepared to answer them, so you can focus on the points that you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- How often do you have explosive episodes
- What causes your impulse
- Have you been injured or insulted others??
- Did you damage property when angry?
- Have you ever tried to harm yourself?
- Let your impulses have adversely affected your family or work life?
- Is there anything that seems to make these episodes happen more often?
- Is there anything that helps to calm you down?
- Does anyone else in your family ever been diagnosed with a mental illness?
- Have you ever had a head injury?
Intermittent explosive disorder Tests and diagnosis
In order to determine the diagnosis of the intermittent explosive disorder and eliminating other physical conditions or mental health disorders that can cause symptoms, expect your doctor to make:
- Physical exam
Your doctor will try to rule out physical problems or substance abuse, which may cause symptoms. Your exam may include laboratory tests.
- Psychological evaluation
Your doctor or mental health provider will talk to you about your symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
- DSM-5
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is often used by mental health providers to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.
Intermittent explosive disorder Treatments and drugs
There is no one treatment that is best for everyone with intermittent explosive disorder. Treatment normally includes current therapies and medications.
- Psychotherapy
Individual or group therapy sessions can be helpful. In addition, a widely used type of therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, helps people with intermittent explosive disorder:
Determine what the situation or behavior may cause an aggressive reaction
Learn how to manage anger and to control inappropriate responses by using techniques such as relaxation training, thinking differently about conditions, and learning coping skills
- Medicines
Different types of medicines can help treat the intermittent explosive disorder. These drugs may include certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, mood stabilizers, or other drugs, if necessary.
intermittent temper disorder Fighting and Support
Part of your treatment may include:
- Forgotten how to problem behavior
copes with anger is a learned behavior. Practice techniques you learn in therapy to help you understand what pushes your buttons and how to react in such a way as to work for you rather than against you.
- Plan Development
Work with your doctor to develop a plan of action for when you feel angry. For example, if you think you can lose control, try to remove yourself from the situation. Go for a walk or call a trusted friend to try to calm down.
- Avoiding alcohol and other recreational substances
These substances can increase aggressiveness and the risk of explosive outbreaks.
If your loved one will not receive assistance
Unfortunately, many people with intermittent temper disorder do not seek medical help. If you are involved in a relationship with someone who has intermittent temper disorder, take measures to protect yourself and their children. The abuse is not your fault. No one deserves to be abused.
Create an escape plan to remain safe from domestic violence
If you see the situation getting worse, and I suspect that your loved one may be on the verge of an explosive episode, try to remove themselves and their children from the scene safely. Nevertheless, with the result that someone with an explosive temper may be dangerous
Consider taking these measures before an emergency:
- Calling domestic violence hotline or women’s shelter for a consultation, or when the offender is not a house or a friend’s house.
- Store all firearms locked or hidden.
- Not to give the offender a key or combination to the lock.
- Emergency bag package includes the items you will need when you are away, for example, extra clothes, keys, personal documents, drugs, and money; hide it or leave the bag with a trusted friend or neighbor.
- Tell a trusted neighbor or friend about violence so that they can ask for help if interested.
- You know where you will go and how you get there, if you feel threatened, even if it means that you have to leave in the middle of the night. You can practice from the comfort of your home safely.
- Devise a code word or a visual signal, which means that you need the police and share it with friends, family, and your children
Intermittent explosive disorder complications
People with the intermittent explosive disorder have an increased risk of:
- Visually impaired interpersonal relationships – They are often perceived by others as always angry. As a result, they may have frequent bouts of verbal or physical abuse can be. These actions can lead to relationship problems, divorce, and family stress.
- Problems at work, at home, or school – Other complications of the disorder may include intermittent explosive disease, the loss of jobs, suspension of school, car accidents, financial problems, or problems with the law.
- Problems associated with mood – mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders often occur with intermittent temper.
- Physical health problems – Medical conditions are more common and may include, for example, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, ulcers, and chronic pain.
- Problems with alcohol and other psychoactive substances – problems with drug or alcohol abuse often occur along with the intermittent explosive disorder.
- Self-inflicted – intentional injury or suicide attempts happen sometimes.
Intermittent temper disorder preventions
If you have intermittent temper disorder, prevention is probably beyond your control, if you receive treatment from a professional. In conjunction with or as part of the treatment, these suggestions can help you prevent some cases go out of control:
Stick with your treatment – Visit your therapy sessions, practice your coping skills, and if your doctor has prescribed a medicine, be sure to take it. Your doctor may suggest medication care to avoid a repeat of explosive episodes.
Practice relaxation techniques – Regular use of deep breathing, yoga, or relaxing images can help you stay calm.
Developing new ways of thinking – Changing how you think about upsetting situations using rational thought, logic, and reasonable expectations can improve how to view and respond to the event.
The use of problem-solving – Make a plan to find a way to solve the problem of disappointment. Then, even if you can not fix it right away, he can refocus his energy.
For more ways to improve your communication – Listen to the message the other person is trying to share, and then think about your best answer, not to mention the first thing that comes to mind.
Changing medium – When possible, leave or avoid situations that upset you. In addition, the planning of personal time can allow you to better cope with the upcoming stressful or irritating situation.
Avoid mood-altering substances – Do not use alcohol or recreational drugs.
