Bezzy communities provide meaningful connections with others living with chronic conditions. Join Bezzy on the web or mobile app. Intermittent explosive disorder IED is a condition that involves sudden outbursts of rage, aggression, or violence.
These reactions tend to be irrational or out of proportion. While most people lose their temper once in a while, IED involves frequent, recurring outbursts. Individuals with IED might throw tantrums, destroy property, or attack others verbally or physically. The impulsive, aggressive episodes that characterize IED can take many forms. Some behaviors that might be signs of IED include:. These spells or attacks often occur with little to no warning. They are short-lived, rarely lasting longer than half an hour.
They may appear alongside physical symptoms, such as:. Feelings of irritation, rage, and loss of control are commonly reported before or during the episode.
People with IED might experience racing thoughts or a sense of emotional detachment. Immediately after, they might feel tired or relieved. People with IED often report feelings of remorse or guilt following an episode. For some individuals with IED, these episodes occur on a regular basis. For others, they occur after weeks- or months-long stretches of nonaggressive behavior. Verbal outbursts may occur between acts of physical violence. The new criteria distinguish between:. A disorder characterized by impulsive and aggressive behavior has appeared in all editions of the DSM.
However, it was first called IED in the third edition. Prior to the third edition, it was believed to be rare. In , a study found that 6. In addition, 3. A 9,person study from found that 7.
