What is intermittent explosive disorder and what we do about it? This video was based on several viewers’ questions. Some questions related to the difference between bipolar disorder and it. Some others asked me to speak about it, as they had been diagnosed with it themselves and wanted to learn more. This video shows an example of the disorder and outlines the criteria for intermittent explosive disorder.
Some commenters wondered if the anger they are experiencing could be bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is more than anger and impulsivity. Not everyone who is manic or impulsive becomes angry. To help you better understand bipolar disorder, I made a video that breaks down hypomania and mania. Watch the video at Y
It is important to note that IED can cause more severe anger outbursts than mania and depression. You can also have IED and bipolar disorder.
What is the best time to do this? It is most common in the late childhood and early adolescence. It is rare to start after the age 40.. However, it doesn’t mean that someone cannot feel a lot of anger after 40.. This kind of behavior can be caused by medical conditions like epilepsy or other brain disorders such as strokes. In that instance, however, intermittent explosive disorder wouldn’t apply. This would be due to a medical condition.
This disorder can run in families. It is more common in families with a parent or sibling who has it.
It is what causes it?
Although we don’t know the exact cause, IED patients have an abnormal brain chemical serotonin function and hyper-reactive Amygdala. Your brain’s structure that detects fear and threats is called the amygdala.
What can we do? The two options are therapy or medication. Therapy would be focused on skills development and improving coping strategies. The therapy would help you identify triggers and teach you how to manage your anger in a more constructive way. The serotonin-enhancing antidepressants such as prozac and mood stabilizers can be used to treat depression. Beta blockers such as propranolol, which is a blood pressure medication we use in psychiatry to treat anxiety and impulse control, have been shown to be effective for some people.
Video showing hypomania and mania in action: Y
References
Conduct Disorders, Impulse Control, Disruptive and Impulse-Control. JohnW. Barnhill, M.D. JuanD. Pedraza, M.D. JeffreyH. Newcorn, M.D.EmilF. Coccaro, M.D.
DSM-5(r), Clinical Cases. August 2013
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Disclaimer: The information contained on this channel is intended for education purposes only and does not constitute specific or personal medical advice. The videos and the answers to questions/comments do not create a doctor-patient relationship. These videos may be helpful for you if you are a patient of your own doctor.
