Intermittent explosive disorder Wikipedia

For some people, anger is caused by an underlying disorder, such as alcoholism or depression. Anger itself isn’t considered a disorder, but anger is a known symptom of several alcoholic rage syndrome mental health conditions. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is usually the main treatment for intermittent explosive disorder, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

From toddlers to old men, everyone experiences anger from time to time. But taken too far, anger can make existing addictions worse – and even become a drug of its own. It can be used to avoid other issues, emotions and experiences – like the abuse of alcohol. The difference is using anger in this way is a ‘skill’ that people develop over decades of practice.

Obsessive compulsive disorder

After the individual or couple has completed an addiction treatment program there are steps they can take to support sobriety going forward. Protecting recovery is essential when the objective is to avoid any future drunk rage blackout events. Continuing on with aftercare efforts, such as participation in a recovery community and individual and group outpatient therapy will go a long way toward reinforcing sobriety and calm in the home. There is a well-documented link between alcohol abuse and aggression or violence.

Since drinking is socially accepted all over the world, it can be hard to tell when someone has an actual problem with alcoholism. However, long-term alcoholism can cause serious mental and physical health complications, so it should be treated as soon as possible. Even though alcoholism can come with dangerous risks, full treatment and recovery is possible.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse

A slight annoyance may turn into an infuriating problem, thanks to alcohol. Typically, anger will lead to aggression unless something happens to resolve the situation. If an intoxicated person becomes upset because the bartender refuses to serve them, help from a friend might calm them down. If no one can defuse the tension, they may become an aggressor, escalating the situation to a violent one. Some of the biological factors that contribute to alcoholism may also play a role in increasing the risk of intimate partner violence.

In fact, between 50-86% of aggressive and violent episodes involve alcohol, according to a study published in the Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. Bunmi is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Human Services. Bunmi is dedicated to helping her clients reach their full potential and build their toolkit of resources to support their long-term recovery.

How do I take care of myself if I have intermittent explosive disorder?

Treatment helps begin the healing process for both the alcoholic and their loved ones. Those who have suffered verbal or physical abuse at the hands of the alcoholic deserve to be healed. Some are quite docile, drinking alone until they pass out, meaning no harm to anyone.

The World Health Organization identifies alcohol more closely with aggressive behavior than any other psychotropic substance. And, according to the Association for Psychological Science, alcohol is involved in half of all violent crimes like rapes, assaults, and murders in the United States. At the end of the day, alcohol is a depressant and interferes with the central nervous system’s ability to interpret and react to what’s going on around it.

Addictions

In addition to our natural proclivities to aggressive behavior, drinking can trigger something in our brains, sometimes causing a complete one-eighty from our normal conduct. Treatment should be administered by a recovery specialist at a rehabilitation facility. Programs can be either inpatient or outpatient, depending on the severity of someone’s condition. Those who enroll in treatment will usually experience symptoms of withdrawal while they are flushing the alcohol out of their system.

Alcohol also impairs our judgment and our ability to make rational decisions. While it’s normal to experience these symptoms on occasion, a person with anger issues tends to experience them more often and to a more severe degree. When you don’t know how to feel, express, and release your anger in a healthy way, you catalyze a painful internal experience, which sets you up for alcoholism, substance abuse and other addictions. People with intermittent explosive disorder tend to have poor life satisfaction and lower quality of life. It can have a very negative impact on your health and can lead to severe personal and relationship problems.

Alcohol is a contributing factor in approximately half of all violent crimes committed in the United States. If you or your child has been diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder, you’ll need to see your healthcare team regularly to make sure your treatment (talk therapy and/or medication) is working. Certain medications may increase https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-cope-with-loneliness-during-addiction-recovery/ the threshold (level) at which a situation triggers an angry outburst for people with intermittent explosive disorder. A therapist or psychologist helps you take a close look at your thoughts and emotions. Through CBT, you can unlearn negative thoughts and behaviors and learn to adopt healthier thinking patterns and habits.

Controlling this limbic response is one of the most critical functions of the frontal cortex of the brain. The prefrontal cortex of the brain is the one that encourages us to consider non-violent responses to a threat. When a threat is considered life-threatening, limbic activation shuts down, and our body goes into fight mode to promote quick reactions and efficient fighting. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood, plays a significant role in controlling our limbic response. However, alcohol can negatively impact our brain’s ability to determine whether a threat is life-or-death, mainly by affecting levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the brain.