General considerations about Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Depending on the human temperament, a person can be more nervous than another. However, there are some who are very stressed, getting easily irritated by anything. Individuals like this, with frequent outbursts of anger, can present the intermittent explosive disorder, a psychological condition that seriously impairs the social living.

People with this disorder have great difficulty controlling their emotions, especially feelings of anger. They get angry for superficial reasons, but soon after a fit of rage, they feel regret, shame or guilt for what they have done.

For this reason, it is important to keep in mind that the carriers of this disorder suffer for their own actions. Although they justify their aggressive behaviors with superficial reasons, they need understanding, adequate treatment and, mainly, patience. To know more about this psychological condition continue reading the text.

Understand more about Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Intermittent explosive disorder is a psychological condition that brings suffering to those who manifest the symptoms. Understanding the disorder is key to dealing with the situation. Learn more in the topics below.

What is Intermittent Explosive Disorder?

Intermittent explosive disorder, also known by the acronym TEI, is a condition of strong emotional lack of control, in which the individual is unable to control his anger impulses. Any situation is a reason for him to lose the management of his emotions and present aggressive behavior, involving swearing, yelling, and breaking objects.

There are cases in which the anger attack is so great that the individual may hurt animals and physically assault people. Usually, after these moments, he feels guilt, shame or regret for his actions.

The disorder begins to show its first signs in adolescence, around 16 years of age, and consolidates in adulthood. However, it can appear later, from 25 years of age or even up to 35. In addition, it can come along with other disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder and depression.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder in children

Naturally, children come into the world with difficulties in controlling their emotions. It is up to those responsible to teach the youngest to resolve their conflicts and manage their emotions. However, if even after teaching the child continues to show symptoms of intermittent explosive disorder, a psychologist should be sought.

Since ASD appears more at advanced ages, the child's irritability can be justified by other external factors, including the presence of disorders with specific onset in childhood, such as hyperactivity, for example. Therefore, the psychology professional will evaluate the child to find the reasons that triggered the aggressive behavior.

The risks of aggressiveness in everyday life

In order to live in society, it is necessary to control one's impulses and choose healthier reactions to conflicts. The person with the intermittent explosive disorder is unable to have this control. As a result, he is impaired in several areas of his life.

Angry people may get involved in lawsuits by people who have been physically attacked by them. They may have conflicts with the law, family, friends and relatives, since the solution to problems is always based on verbal or physical aggression, which causes even more friction.

In this scenario, the person may be excluded from the social circle and live more and more isolated, generating even depression states. Even because, after a rage attack, the individual repents, feels shame or guilt, but still does not have the capacity to control his impulsiveness. Thus, the person needs to seek professional help.

The symptoms of Intermittent Explosive Disorder

People are different, so it is natural that some individuals get angry more easily than others, without this being configured as intermittent explosive disorder. To correctly identify the psychological condition see the symptoms of the disorder in the topics below.

Classification of manifestations of rabies

The diagnostic evaluation for a person with symptoms of intermittent explosive disorder is fundamental to identify the psychological condition and thus know how to deal with the patient. For this, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, also known as DSM, is used.

This assessment is made by health professionals based on the frequency and intensity of symptoms, which are classified into mild and severe manifestations.

After all, anger is a natural human emotion, and even though irritability is not the best response, it is understandable in the midst of certain situations.

Mild manifestations

Intermittent explosive disorder can appear in mild manifestations, which are obscene gestures, aggression without bodily harm, threats, insults, swearing and attacks with objects. To configure the disorder, these symptoms must occur at least twice a week within a period of three months.

Individuals who present these mild manifestations give the impression that they love to get involved in conflicts, because they are always easily irritated, without there being a plausible reason for the emotional lack of control. Therefore, those around them consider them to be difficult people to deal with. Therefore, as part of the evaluation, it is important to listen to the family members.

Severe manifestations

There are cases in which anger attacks are more serious, severely impairing the daily life of people with the intermittent explosive disorder. These attacks are included in the severe manifestations of the DSM, classified with the following symptoms: physical attacks involving bodily injury and destruction of property.

It is worth remembering that these two symptoms do not happen in isolation. In severe manifestations, the individual also presents mild symptoms. However, this more severe irritability must occur at least three times within a year. Just as in mild manifestations, these fits of anger occur during everyday occurrences and for superfluous issues.

Other symptoms

There are behavioral temperaments that are more explosive. Some people, for example, become very angry when they are wronged. In such cases, the emotional reaction is completely understandable.

However, in the case of intermittent explosive disorder, the reasons for the angry outbursts are rarely justifiable. In view of this, the disorder may also present other symptoms, such as:

- Irritability and impatience;

- Body tremors;

- Increased heart rate;

- Regret, shame, or feelings of guilt after a fit of rage;

- Reactive behavior;

- Impulsiveness;

- Attacks of rage;

- Emotional uncontrol;

- Verbal and physical assaults;

- Muscle tension;

- Destruction of objects as a consequence of uncontrolled reactions;

- Sweating;

- Migraine.

The causes of Intermittent Explosive Disorder and diagnosis

The intermittent explosive disorder can be aggravated by the individual's personality. However, since it is psychological, the condition can have several causes. Learn below the main triggering factors of the clinical picture and how the diagnosis is made.

Genetics

There is a theoretical line in which it is believed that intermittent explosive disorder is caused by genetic factors. That is, aggressive parents with the psychological condition pass it on to their children.

In addition, families with the presence of other disorders, such as generalized anxiety and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, for example, would also have the tendency to pass on the disorder through genetics.

According to this theoretical line, the cure of the clinical condition would be practically impossible. What could be done would be a treatment to alleviate the symptoms, but the individual would carry the disorder for his entire life.

Environment

Regarding environmental factors, the intermittent explosive disorder is caused by living in violent environments, that is, the child grows up watching angry actions and internalizes the anger reactions, believing that aggressive behavior is normal. Thus, the disorder develops in adolescence or adulthood.

Another justification is also found in the young age of the child. When the individual is exposed to violence in his first three years of life, the probability of developing aggressive behavior in the future is much higher. Therefore, the clinical picture could be reversed through self-knowledge and change of views.

How to get the diagnosis?

The diagnosis is obtained through psychological evaluation or psychiatric evaluation. Depending on the clinical institution, the analysis of the individual can be done by both professionals. While the psychiatrist uses a classification manual of mental disorders, the psychologist evaluates the outbursts of anger towards society and the individual's relationship with his symptoms.

After obtaining the diagnosis of intermittent explosive disorder, the professional will provide all the guidelines regarding the treatment. It is important to correctly follow the indications provided for the success of the therapeutic interventions. But the patient can also express his or her interests regarding the treatment model.

Is Intermittent Explosive Disorder curable?

Some believe that intermittent explosive disorder has no cure, but it is amenable to treatment, helping the individual to live better in society. Treatment mainly involves therapy sessions, where, with the help of psychologists, the person learns to control their emotions and create healthier responses to their feelings of anger.

Psychoanalysis helps the individual to know himself/herself and with this knowledge create a new way of dealing with situations that trigger fits of rage. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps to change harmful behaviors for healthier ones. Family therapy is efficient because it treats weakened bonds due to constant arguments.

In addition, group therapy can also help, because with the sharing of similar experiences, the person feels welcomed and willing to change. Treatment with medication and psychiatry may be necessary to control the more severe symptoms.

Preliminary questions to identify Intermittent Explosive Disorder

The diagnostic evaluation should always be given by health professionals. But there are some questions you can ask yourself to identify signs of intermittent explosive disorder. See below what they are.

Do you explode at least twice in a week?

It is necessary to understand that feeling anger is absolutely normal. It is an emotion that is part of human constitution and it is healthy to feel it. What will configure an intermittent explosive disorder is the manifestation of this feeling according to the level of frequency and intensity.

Having angry outbursts that you can't control, at least twice a week, is a sign of the disorder. You may want to seek professional help to identify the issue further. After all, it could be that other psychological conditions are occurring or environmental factors are contributing to your irritability.

Do you blow up for small, superficial reasons?

If waiting in line at a store, for example, is a reason for you to explode easily, intermittent explosive disorder may be present in your life. Although waiting in line is uncomfortable, it is part of people's daily lives and is necessary for consumer organization. Therefore, having fits of rage because of it is a superficial reason.

It is important to emphasize that in this disorder there is no premeditation of behaviors. That is, there is no intention in the individual to cause discomfort, receive rewards or intimidate others. He, in fact, loses control of his patience and manifests aggressive behaviors. That is why he ends up regretting it after the angry outburst.

When exploding, do you usually swear and throw objects?

One of the characteristics of the intermittent explosive disorder is the blindness that the psychological condition causes in people. The individual is surprised by his own attitudes, which involve swearing and throwing objects during a moment of anger. Regardless of who it is, family member, friend or someone distant, throwing objects is a way to express irritability.

This is already an action considered serious, because it includes the destruction of property. You need to seek a psychologist for him to make an assessment of the picture and direct the most appropriate treatment. But remember that you can also choose the means by which you want to take care of yourself.

Dealing with individuals who have Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Dealing with individuals who have the intermittent explosive disorder becomes a daily challenge. Ironically, the people around also lose patience with these angry subjects, facing frequent conflicts. Because it is so difficult the relationship with them, we separated below some tips to make living together more harmonious. Check it out!

Avoid provocation and surface friction

Understand that the individual with an intermittent explosive disorder gets angry at absolutely everything. Any minor action is a reason to make them angry and lose control over their anger. Knowing this, try not to mind these silly conflicts. Let this person release their negative emotions in their own way.

By doing so, you preserve your mental health and your peace of mind, especially if you have to live with this person on a daily basis. Also, avoid provocation. Don't forget that it only takes a little joke to get the person with the disorder out of control. So, be friendly and try to contribute to the wellbeing of the angry person.

Stand firm whenever necessary

Avoiding superficial friction and provocation with the person with the intermittent explosive disorder doesn't mean giving him the luxury of doing whatever he wants to you. On the contrary, as soon as you notice that he's stepping out of line, be firm and state your thoughts in a coherent manner. You don't have to yell, swear, or hit back. Just act meekly.

By behaving differently from him, you'll show that you're different and make it clear that the inconvenience is on his side and not yours. Then the superficiality of the temper tantrum will be noticed, with the possibility of even an apology.

Be patient and take a deep breath

It is natural for human beings to act like a mirror. Generally, people internalise the behaviour of others and end up reacting in the same way. With people with an intermittent explosive disorder you must be careful not to get carried away by moments of anger, otherwise you will generate new conflicts.

Breathing is a great tool for relaxation and calmness. Also, when you breathe deeply, your body is taking oxygen to your brain, which activates neural functions and helps you think of healthy ways to cope with the present moment.

Choose to talk when the anger passes

After the fit of rage passes, the individual with intermittent explosive disorder feels a lot of remorse for what he did. This is a great time to talk to him and try to understand his point of view, counseling him in order to avoid unpleasant situations in the future.

This friendly and empathetic help is fundamental, because generally the person with the disorder misinterprets situations and justifies his actions based on these perceptions. Therefore, loving advice at the right time helps this person to see the reality of things and understand that his temper tantrum was unnecessary.

Seek information about the disorder

Ignorance about mental disorders makes dealing with angry individuals even more difficult. Therefore, if you want to better deal with people with intermittent explosive disorder, you need to seek more information about the clinical picture.

Not considering that anger outbursts are part of a psychological condition makes the irritable person unpleasant and isolated from social life. It is necessary to understand that these individuals suffer when they act in an uncontrolled way.

No matter how much they want to, they simply cannot manage their anger. Therefore, understanding what this disorder is and how it affects human life is already a great way to deal with the subjects belonging to the clinical picture.

Encourage physical activity

Physical activities have the immense power to vent anger and release negative emotions in a healthy way. They also promote relaxation, increasing the sense of pleasure and well-being. Therefore, invite the individual with intermittent explosive disorder to perform physical activities such as running, swimming, weight training, walking, or any other team sport.

But practice these activities together with him. The encouragement in a present way is very important for the subject to feel that he is not alone and is loved by special people. In addition, during these moments he can talk and vent about the disorder and give you openness for you to advise and guide him in good attitudes.

Advise the person to seek professional guidance

Every psychological condition, whether severe or mild, needs treatment. With the intermittent explosive disorder it would be no different. Therefore, advise the person to seek professional guidance. With therapy, the symptoms of the disorder decrease significantly and the individual is able to live better in society.

However, you should only advise therapy if the person is close to you. This is because some people still believe that psychological treatment is for so-called "crazy" people. Also, individuals with ITE may consider therapy guidance to be offensive and this provokes even more anger. Try to establish a connection with the person and only then talk about therapy.

When you identify the symptoms of intermittent explosive disorder, seek professional help!

Intermittent explosive disorder is a psychological condition that can seriously affect the daily lives of people, not only those who present the clinical picture, but also those around them. Therefore, individuals who emit signs of this disorder should seek professional help immediately.

A good time to seek this help is right after a fit of rage. After all, even if the person justifies his anger actions, he feels regretful, guilty and ashamed for what he did. Therefore, it becomes a propitious period of sensitivity to seek treatment.

But remember that you don't have to treat yourself alone. If you want, call your friends, family or people close to you to accompany you. Tell them how you feel when you act impulsively and show your real interest in changing. If they don't want to accompany you, don't be discouraged. You are the main responsible for your happiness, so go after it.