Anger Disorder
How to Recognize Anger Disorder
Anger disorder is also known as intermittent explosive disorder or IED. Having an anger disorder is much different than just getting angry and swearing or yelling at someone. In fact, in intermittent explosive disorder, an emphasis should be made on “explosive.” An anger disorder is where anger almost instantly is transformed into rage. With anger disorder, people are so unstable emotionally that they literally cannot control themselves.
There are many psychological disorders where people become angry. Sometimes tiredness or frustration ignites someone’s temper. Usually most of us are in control to some extent even if anger is expressed in a sudden outburst. People with intermittent explosive disorder do serious damage to property or another person. With this disorder, the angry response always goes far beyond the reality of the situation.
People who have anger disorder usually haven some physical symptoms along with the outburst. These might include headaches or pressures, hearing an echo, tightness in the chest, tremors, tingling or palpitations. Frequently people who become explosive grew up with the same kind of violence in their home. Some scientists believe that there might even be a genetic element in anger disorder.
If you have mental problems such as a mood disorder, like being bi-polar, or problems with anxiety or addictions, you have risk factors for intermittent explosive disorder. Some people who have demonstrated this condition also have various common personality disorders such as being paranoid or anti-social.
To be diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder, you must exhibit all of the conditions established by the American Psychiatric Association in their diagnostic manual. These include that there have been several times when the person did not resist aggressive impulses and caused harm to another person or destroyed property. The incidents must have been situations where the behavior of the person was totally out of line with an appropriate response. Also, the definition of intermittent explosive behavior can only be used if the person’s actions were not the result of a medical condition or the use of drugs.
People who have anger disorder, or intermittent explosive disorder do not always direct their anger towards others. Often it is directed toward self and can result in attempts at suicide. There are many drugs used to help control this condition: antidepressants, such as Prozac; anti-anxiety drugs, like Panax or Valium; mood regulators, such as Internal, or in some cases, anticonvulsants, including Neuron tin, Dilating, Laical or Tigerton.
Getting individual or group counseling is also usually part of the treatment of this anger disorder. If you or someone you know exhibits all of the symptoms of intermittent explosive disorder, get help. Talk to someone about getting counseling and medical treatment before the anger gets out of hand.