Intermittent Explosive Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:47 Causes of Intermittent Explosive Disorder
1:40 symptoms of Intermittent Explosive Disorder
2:48 Diagnosis of Intermittent Explosive Disorde
3:16 treatment

Intermittent explosive disorder (sometimes abbreviated as IED) is a behavioral disorder characterized by explosive outbursts of anger and/or violence, often to the point of rage, that are disproportionate to the situation at hand (e.g., impulsive shouting, screaming or excessive reprimanding triggered by relatively inconsequential events). Impulsive aggression is not premeditated, and is defined by a disproportionate reaction to any provocation, real or perceived. Some individuals have reported affective changes prior to an outburst, such as tension, mood changes, energy changes, etc.[1]

The disorder is currently categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) under the "Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders" category. The disorder itself is not easily characterized and often exhibits comorbidity with other mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder.[2] Individuals diagnosed with IED report their outbursts as being brief (lasting less than an hour), with a variety of bodily symptoms (sweating, stuttering, chest tightness, twitching, palpitations) reported by a third of one sample.[3] Aggressive acts are frequently reported to be accompanied by a sensation of relief and in some cases pleasure, but often followed by later remorse. mpulsive behavior, and especially impulsive violence predisposition, have been correlated to a low brain serotonin turnover rate, indicated by a low concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This substrate appears to act on the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus, which is the target for serotonergic output from the dorsal and median raphe nuclei playing a role in maintaining the circadian rhythm and regulation of blood sugar. A tendency towards low 5-HIAA may be hereditary. A putative hereditary component to low CSF 5-HIAA and concordantly possibly to impulsive violence has been proposed. Other traits that correlate with IED are low vagal tone and increased insulin secretion. A suggested explanation for IED is a polymorphism of the gene for tryptophan hydroxylase, which produces a serotonin precursor; this genotype is found more commonly in individuals with impulsive behavior.[4]

IED may also be associated with lesions in the prefrontal cortex, with damage to these areas, including the amygdala, increasing the incidence of impulsive and aggressive behavior and the inability to predict the outcomes of an individual's own actions. Lesions in these areas are also associated with improper blood sugar control, leading to decreased brain function in these areas, which are associated with planning and decision making.[5] A national sample in the United States estimated that 16 million Americans may fit the criteria for IED.[6]

[luieaus]

This is so bad. Especially when you’re a good hearted person and care so much to your loved ones but sometimes you’re the one who hurt them. It feels like there is a monster inside of you. The shame after is so overwhelming, mostly because you know that what you’ve done or said just can’t be fixed. It takes a lot of work and self control to minimise it. Stay strong 💪

[Edamame]

This makes me feel so validated. It's not that I don't know my behavior is irrational, it's just all of a sudden I get so angry I feel like punching a wall. I'm not proud of it nor can I control when it happens, but I find that separating myself from the source of the anger the moment I start to feel aggressive gives me space to calm down where I won't hurt anyone. I know I am not a monster, since I am doing my best to keep others safe when this happens. Thanks for the video!

[genuineentertainment]

It hurts so bad ... My guess from this is we will not live long if left untreated. I can feel it's strain on my heart.

[petervanheerden]

I'm currently living with someone who has it. The mood swings are incredibly sudden from talking about going for lunch and smiling to suddenly swearing and calling me names.

[thomass]

I get very sensitive and triggered, i shout and say hurtful things to loved ones when we have arguments, at times (rather rarely) things turn physical. Later after these episodes I feel so guilty and embarrassed by my actions.

[nathaliemadali]

just few moments ago, i realized to searched about this, i search 'what is a disorder when you suddenly get angry or mad without any reason' then the word IED occured in my screen, the symptoms actually matched whats happening to me. I'm scared of myself

[drillbilly]

Man i started crying watching this i can’t control this 🙁😔

[Xcoolydiego]

This only occurs to me when I get responded in a sarcastic/condescending matter. Other than that Im fine, Im just tired of being treated if I was dumb constantly. Through lots of bullying even to this day. May be related to autism/aspergers. I stopped going outside because everytime I interact with someone I always get a sarcastic remark thrown in my way

[wisdomcarson]

I used to have anger problems, and i did something extremely violent once that changed my life forever. I've been angry many times where everyone is afraid of me. Learning myself, my triggers, what's worth it in life and what's not worth it has helped me tremendously in regaining and never losing control. Also feeling anger in the moment instead of repressing it is a must. And not letting situations occur that will cause me to think back and say I wish I did this better (eliminating regret) helps as well cuz you don't have those situations to look back on and fuel your anger. Lastly doing shadow work and trying to REMEMBER what happened to me as a kid has helped me tremendously. I had to accept the fact that i was touched as a kid and it does not make me any less of a man, but in that acceptance the memory came back and i revisited it but i was able to heal from it. There may be more traumas I have to unpack and as I do so I will heal further. Goodluck to those dealing with IED.

[lovetacos]

I believe my husband has this. It’s exhausting! I don’t know what to do anymore…he needs help but he doesn’t want to be evaluated.

[nikkic]

Avoid those that yell at you for no apparent reason. These people need help.

[swetha_]

I'm 18. Dealing with anger issues and sudden outbursts. My parents think I'm just a disrespectful child who gets angry at every little things. I wish they can sit down with me and talk why I'm being this way or send me for professional counselling. But I know damn well neither of those going to happen. I really don't know how I'm gonna grow up to be an adult with this. I don't even know if I could live long or have any loved ones around me having this in me. I'm scared to enter adulthood.

[missescookie]

My husband has this, ADHD, MDD, GAD, panic and alcoholism. We are currently going through a divorce as i can no longer live with his constant verbal/emotional abuse. He is medicated and is in therapy but he still has outbursts and is like a jekyll and hyde with his severe mood swings that are sometimes triggered over nothing and other times his anger spirals out of control. I miss the man i thought i married but i had to leave for my own safety and sanity. Its so sad...

[wernkaros]

Thanks for this video. All these things you have pointed out are factual about me. My own IED works differently. When someone makes me mad, I get emotional wrecked. The emotional wreckage then stores in me for a very short period of time in the form of boiling anger. After a while, when another person or the same person makes me mad again, it immediately reminds me of the emotional wreckage I had, a d it suddenly start making me aggressive, I have offended alot of people today because of this, and I have quit some social medias and shall only return when I am able to control my IED

Thanks for the video

[nicks]

Wow. This just opened my eyes more than you can know.

[lonewolfartisan]

Also, people with frontal lobe damage either due congenitally, drug abuse, or yes, accidents in life. I have to care for someone who has this.

[soupythecat]

I've lived with 3 people like this, 2 I grew up with, and none of them took initiative to get the help they needed. Now I am forever damaged by their behavior and had to go to therapy at a young age to deal with them on top of my own problems and am on medications to deal with the trauma they caused me, probably for the rest of my life. If you suffer from this, it's not your fault but it IS your responsibility to seek treatment. I beg you.

[blackninja]

They are forgetting that it's not traditional things that exasperate the problem. Often people who suffer from IEPD have outbursts of anger or rage even if the thing provoking them was perceived. So even if the person did nothing wrong they're still gonna get angry.

[krizp]

I have this heavy, I have anxiety and adhd, I can be chilling and then out of nowhere just get fucking pissed tryna fight everyone or I start hitting myself. Not to mention I got depression too. This shit sucks to be honest ruins alot

[LatesRocker]

I believe I have it - rant episode yesterday reminded me put all of this back into perspective. I believe both my sister and father had it too. Indeed underlying conditions cause it - the way we were raised, our belief system. Response to a negative situation and just how much of a situation has trespassed my boundaries will vary based on timing.