Intermittent Explosive Disorder

I noticed that, since I need to get myself into massive traffic jam, my temper have change from bad to worst. I often will lost temper and act "quite" agreesively towards, uhmm... retarded driver a.k.a cheebuy-driver-who-do-not-use-signal-light-or-cut-queue-somemore-with-no-feeling-sorry-face. Then, today I read news paper, it says, recently, research shown more and more people hving this "Intermittent Explosive Disorder" due to alot of stress, one of them, by traffic.

Definition
Intermittent Explosive Disorder falls in the category of Impulse-Control Disorders. This disorder is characterized by frequent and often unpredictable episodes of extreme anger or physical outbursts. Between episodes, there is typically no evidence of violence or physical threat. Often genuine regret is expressed after the outburst. Most patients are young men and history will often involve frequent traffic accidents, moving violations and possibly sexual impulsivity. These patients may exhibit extreme sensitivity to alcohol. This disorder is a controversial category because some clinicians believe that it is only a symptom of other diagnoses rather than a disorder on its own (Morrison, 1995).

Symptoms
Intermittent Explosive Disorder is marked by several discrete episodes of failure to resist aggressive impulses that result in serious assaultive acts or destruction of property.

The degree of aggressiveness expressed during the episodes is grossly out of proportion to any precipitating psychosocial stressors.

No other mental disorder or personality disorder better explains the symptoms.

These symptoms are not directly caused by a general medical condition or substance use, including medications and drugs of abuse.

Other disorders that should be ruled out are as follows: Antisocial Personality Disorder; Borderline Personality Disorder; Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder; Conduct Disorder; Manic Episode, and psychotic diagnoses.

(American Psychiatric Association, 1994)

Causes
The majority of cases occur when the individual is between late adolescence and late twenties. There is some evidence of that the neurotransmitter serotonin may play a role in this disorder.

Although the prevalence of intermittent explosive disorder is unknown and considered rare, the disorder is probably more common than realized and may be an important cause of violent behavior. Intermittent explosive disorder is more common in men. However, women also have problematic impulsive aggression, and some women have reported an increase in intermittent explosive symptoms when they are premenstrual.

Treatment
Treatment could involve medication or therapy, with the best prognosis utilizing a combination of the two.

These patients often need psychological treatment along with medication treatment, and it is often very helpful to base their psychological treatment on addiction-based models.

Biofeedback has proven quite effective. This procedure involves using EEG biofeedback to facilitate learning in order to increase the amplitude of slow brain wave (alpha and theta) activity, and facilitate a more relaxed cognitive experience. A case study resulted in a patient describing calmly walking away from situations that would have previously triggered emotional conflict and physical tension after the fifth session. Soon after, at the end of sixth session, he was ready to begin tapering off session frequency beginning with alternate week training sessions.

Studies suggest that patients with intermittent explosive disorders respond to treatment with antidepressants and mood stabilizers*.




*Mood stabilizers vary at different individuals. Some people fancy about playing cards. Friends should give care (playing cards) to the patients on and off , for him/her to feel that he/she are being cared. Jerrys Nugget are the best stabilizers found till up to date.