Intermittent Explosive Disorder

When you hear the acronym IED you probably thing of an IED as in Iraq; an improvised explosive device. But IED can also stand for intermittent explosive disorder. It sounds like something made up, but it's not.

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is a behavioral disorder characterized by extreme expressions of anger, often to the point of uncontrollable rage, that are disproportionate to the situation at hand.It is currently categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as an impulse control disorder.

According to the Mayo Clinic, intermittent explosive disorder occurs most often in young men (no!) and may affect as many as one in 14 U.S. adults.

Many people with IED grew up in families where physical abuse were common.

Interestingly, according to recent reports, WWE wrestler Randy Orton has intermittent explosive disorder or IED. He says he's been diagnosed with it, in fact. But it should be noted that some have posited that IED may be exacerbated by steroid use.

Treatment is achieved through both cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotropic medication regiments. Therapy aids in helping the patient recognize the impulses in hopes of achieving a level of awareness and control of the outbursts, along with treating the emotional stress that accompanies these episodes. Also Treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy, but also medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), mood stabilizers such as lithium carbonate (Lithonate) or even some anticonvulsant medications.

Heavy-duty tranquilizers such as clozapine (Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol) may also help, although these are traditionally used as anti-psychotic medication.

Beta blockers, are also known to help in some cases. These are usually prescribed to slow heart rate or control blood pressure.

It should be obvious from the medication list that often medication used to treat IED is used in the absence of the conditions that they are normally used for.