Warning Indicators Of Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Physical Altercations

Physical altercations are a common component of intermittent explosive disorder. These may involve self-directed physical behaviors like smashing things or punching walls. However, they also often involve other people. Sometimes the episodes will result in domestic violence through pushing, shoving, or slapping. There may also be physical fights with both loved ones and strangers. The individual may feel remorse following the physical altercation, once they've 'come down' from the episode. But there's also often a sense of tiredness and relief when the emotions have run their course. Physical violence has a lasting psychological impact on the individuals who endure it, and the relationship between the two might never recover fully. On top of this, physical violence can lead to legal repercussions like lawsuits, assault charges, domestic violence charges, or other violent crimes with serious prison penalties.

Keep reading to reveal more warning signs of intermittent explosive disorder now.

Aggressive Mood Changes

Intermittent explosive disorder comes with aggressive mood changes that may seem to happen without warning. Some patients may mistake their mood swings for an illness like bipolar disorder. But bipolar disorder's phases tend to last weeks or years. Even with rapid cycling bipolar disorder, the moods last at least a few days. Another mental health condition associated with aggressive mood changes is borderline personality disorder, which is characterized by a lack of emotional regulation, unhealthy attachments to others, and patterns of volatile and broken relationships. Borderline personality disorder and intermittent explosive disorder sometimes occur together.

Individuals are more prone to aggressive outbursts if they have a condition that impairs their ability to self-regulate their emotional state. One thing about the mood changes is that, after the episode is over, the patient themselves may not understand what caused them. Once the emotions have been released through aggression, a sense of mental clarity returns.

Understand a key component of all the symptoms associated with intermittent explosive disorder now.