Intermittent explosive disorder

Intermittent explosive disorder is a chronic disorder that can continue for years, although the severity of outbursts may decrease with age. Treatment involves medications and psychotherapy to help you control your aggressive impulses.

Explosive eruptions occur suddenly, with little or no warning, and usually last less than 30 minutes. These episodes may occur frequently or be separated by weeks or months of nonagression. Less several verbal outbursts may occur in between episodes of physical aggression. You may be irritable, impulsive, aggressive, or chronically angry most of the time.

The explosive verbal and behavioral outbursts are out of proportion to the situation with no thoughts to consequences. You may feel a sense of relief and tiredness after the episode. Later, you may feel remorse, regret or embarrassment.

The disorder tipically begins in childhood ( after the age of 6 years) or during adolescence and is more common in people under the age of 40. 

Individual or group therapy sessions can be helpful. A commonly used type of therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, helps people with intermittent explosive disorder:

. Identify which situations or behaviors may trigger an aggressive response.

. Learn how to manage anger and control inappropiate responses using techniques such as relaxation training, thinking differently about situations, and learning coping skills.

Different types of drugs may help in the treatment of intermittent explosive disorder. These medications may include certain antidepressants ( specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors= SSRIs) and mood stabilizers.