Skip to content
Contact us
858-295-8694
white logo | PacificBeachHealth
  • Our Therapists
  • What We Treat
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Resources
    • Addiction Guide
      • Adderall Guide | Side Effects
      • Alcohol Addiction
      • Benzodiazepines
      • Cocaine Withdrawal
      • Fentanyl Guide | Addiction Treatment
      • Heroin Addiction Guide
      • Meth Guide
      • Online Alcoholics Anonymous
      • Oxycodone Guide
      • Tramadol Guide | Side Effects | Addiction Treatment
      • Xanax Guide
      • How a Substance Abuse Counselor Helps
      • Spirituality in Addiction Treatment  
    • Behavioral Health
      • How can counseling help depression?
      • Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
      • Is bipolar disorder genetic and triggered later on?
      • Is cognitive therapy effective for bipolar disorder?
    • Children & Adolescents Guide
      • 10 Warning Signs of Teenage Mental Illness
      • Munchausen Syndrome
      • How Does Social Media Affect Teenagers’ Mental Health?
      • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
      • Spotting Types of Depression in Children
      • Teen Suicide
      • Top Tips For Parents
      • Video Game Therapy for ADHD
      • What is a Residential Mental Health Facility for Teenagers Like
      • Why Is Mental Health on the Rise Amongst Teenagers?
    • Is Social Media Ruining Our Self-Esteem? 
    • Mental Health Guide
      • COVID Counseling to Battle Mental Health Issues
      • Guide to Anxiety Medication
      • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
      • High Functioning Depression | Signs | Symptoms
      • How Can We Prevent Mental Illness in Youth?
      • How Do You Help Someone with Avoidant Personality?
      • How Does Online Counseling Work for Mental Health?
      • How Can a Mental Health Counselor Help
      • Mental Breakdown
      • Schizoid Personality Disorder
      • Postpartum Depression
      • Types of Mood Disorders
      • The Toll of Grief and How to Cope with It
      • What are The Major Affective Disorders?
      • What Cognitive Psychology Teaches Us About How We Think
      • What Is Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • What are mental health symptoms you should never ignore?
      • What is Bipolar II Disorder? Symptoms and Treatment
      • What is the Difference Between Manic and Hypomanic?
      • What is schizoaffective disorder?
      • Is seasonal affective disorder (SAD) a mental illness?
      • What is substance induced mood disorder?
      • Is Depression a Permanent Mental Disorder?
      • What is the prognosis for Major Depressive Disorder?
    • Marriage Counseling | Benefits
    • Pandemic Related Issues
      • COVID Counseling to Battle Mental Health Issues
      • Work Stress Post-Pandemic
      • Shocking Growth of Anxiety During the Pandemic
    • Relationship Issues
      • How to deal with toxic relationship?
      • How does a toxic relationship affect your mental health?
      • What is gaslighting in a relationship?
      • What is the best way to help a partner who has trust issues?
      • What’s the best way to work out relationship problems?
      • 10 ways to improve communication in relationships
    • Spirituality in Addiction Treatment  
    • Therapy
      • Can I See a Psychiatrist Without a Referral?
      • DBT Therapy for Adolescents
      • DCBT- Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      • Deep Brain Stimulation to Treat OCD
      • Do I Need a Referral to See a Therapist?
      • Family Therapy: Definition, Types, Techniques, and Efficacy
      • How Can Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) Help Mental Disorders?
      • EMDR Therapy for Mental Health Conditions
      • Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist
      • Is Therapy Covered by Health Insurance?
      • Psychodynamic Therapy vs CBT
      • Psychotherapy
      • SMART Recovery
      • What Can Psychologists Treat
      • What is Group Therapy
      • What is Internal Family Systems Therapy
      • What Is the Role of the Counselor in Family Therapy
      • What Is Psychoanalysis
    • Trauma Bonding With Intimate Partner Violence
    • Teen Mental Health
      • Can a Minor Go to Therapy Without Parents Permission?
      • Teen Co-Occurring Disorders
      • What are the signs of depression in adolescents?
      • warning signs of suicide in adolescents
      • Mental Health Benefits of Exercise in Teens
      • How is the pandemic affecting mental health in teenagers?
    • Types of Disorder
      • Anti-Social Personality Disorder
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Avoidant Personality Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder Symptoms | Causes | Diagnosis
      • Diagnosing and Treating an Adjustment Disorder
      • Histrionic Personality Disorder
      • Intermittent Explosive Disorder
      • Paranoid Personality Disorder
    • Veterans Guide
      • Functional Medicine for Military
      • Service Dogs Help Veterans with PTSD
    • Process Addiction
      • Gambling addiction
      • How do you know if you have an addictive personality?
      • What is Impulse-Control Disorder?
      • Process Addiction
Menu
  • Our Therapists
  • What We Treat
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Resources
    • Addiction Guide
      • Adderall Guide | Side Effects
      • Alcohol Addiction
      • Benzodiazepines
      • Cocaine Withdrawal
      • Fentanyl Guide | Addiction Treatment
      • Heroin Addiction Guide
      • Meth Guide
      • Online Alcoholics Anonymous
      • Oxycodone Guide
      • Tramadol Guide | Side Effects | Addiction Treatment
      • Xanax Guide
      • How a Substance Abuse Counselor Helps
      • Spirituality in Addiction Treatment  
    • Behavioral Health
      • How can counseling help depression?
      • Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
      • Is bipolar disorder genetic and triggered later on?
      • Is cognitive therapy effective for bipolar disorder?
    • Children & Adolescents Guide
      • 10 Warning Signs of Teenage Mental Illness
      • Munchausen Syndrome
      • How Does Social Media Affect Teenagers’ Mental Health?
      • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
      • Spotting Types of Depression in Children
      • Teen Suicide
      • Top Tips For Parents
      • Video Game Therapy for ADHD
      • What is a Residential Mental Health Facility for Teenagers Like
      • Why Is Mental Health on the Rise Amongst Teenagers?
    • Is Social Media Ruining Our Self-Esteem? 
    • Mental Health Guide
      • COVID Counseling to Battle Mental Health Issues
      • Guide to Anxiety Medication
      • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
      • High Functioning Depression | Signs | Symptoms
      • How Can We Prevent Mental Illness in Youth?
      • How Do You Help Someone with Avoidant Personality?
      • How Does Online Counseling Work for Mental Health?
      • How Can a Mental Health Counselor Help
      • Mental Breakdown
      • Schizoid Personality Disorder
      • Postpartum Depression
      • Types of Mood Disorders
      • The Toll of Grief and How to Cope with It
      • What are The Major Affective Disorders?
      • What Cognitive Psychology Teaches Us About How We Think
      • What Is Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • What are mental health symptoms you should never ignore?
      • What is Bipolar II Disorder? Symptoms and Treatment
      • What is the Difference Between Manic and Hypomanic?
      • What is schizoaffective disorder?
      • Is seasonal affective disorder (SAD) a mental illness?
      • What is substance induced mood disorder?
      • Is Depression a Permanent Mental Disorder?
      • What is the prognosis for Major Depressive Disorder?
    • Marriage Counseling | Benefits
    • Pandemic Related Issues
      • COVID Counseling to Battle Mental Health Issues
      • Work Stress Post-Pandemic
      • Shocking Growth of Anxiety During the Pandemic
    • Relationship Issues
      • How to deal with toxic relationship?
      • How does a toxic relationship affect your mental health?
      • What is gaslighting in a relationship?
      • What is the best way to help a partner who has trust issues?
      • What’s the best way to work out relationship problems?
      • 10 ways to improve communication in relationships
    • Spirituality in Addiction Treatment  
    • Therapy
      • Can I See a Psychiatrist Without a Referral?
      • DBT Therapy for Adolescents
      • DCBT- Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      • Deep Brain Stimulation to Treat OCD
      • Do I Need a Referral to See a Therapist?
      • Family Therapy: Definition, Types, Techniques, and Efficacy
      • How Can Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) Help Mental Disorders?
      • EMDR Therapy for Mental Health Conditions
      • Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist
      • Is Therapy Covered by Health Insurance?
      • Psychodynamic Therapy vs CBT
      • Psychotherapy
      • SMART Recovery
      • What Can Psychologists Treat
      • What is Group Therapy
      • What is Internal Family Systems Therapy
      • What Is the Role of the Counselor in Family Therapy
      • What Is Psychoanalysis
    • Trauma Bonding With Intimate Partner Violence
    • Teen Mental Health
      • Can a Minor Go to Therapy Without Parents Permission?
      • Teen Co-Occurring Disorders
      • What are the signs of depression in adolescents?
      • warning signs of suicide in adolescents
      • Mental Health Benefits of Exercise in Teens
      • How is the pandemic affecting mental health in teenagers?
    • Types of Disorder
      • Anti-Social Personality Disorder
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Avoidant Personality Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder Symptoms | Causes | Diagnosis
      • Diagnosing and Treating an Adjustment Disorder
      • Histrionic Personality Disorder
      • Intermittent Explosive Disorder
      • Paranoid Personality Disorder
    • Veterans Guide
      • Functional Medicine for Military
      • Service Dogs Help Veterans with PTSD
    • Process Addiction
      • Gambling addiction
      • How do you know if you have an addictive personality?
      • What is Impulse-Control Disorder?
      • Process Addiction

Childhood Trauma & Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Intermittent Explosive Disorder is characterized by aggressive outbursts, and the source of the disorder may be linked to the exposure of trauma in childhood. 

What is Intermittent Explosive Disorder?

Intermittent Explosive Disorder DMS 5 (IED) is a disorder characterized by recurrent aggressive and destructive outbursts.1 To meet the criteria for an Intermittent Explosive Disorder diagnosis, these outbursts must have an unspecified origin not caused by underlying mental disorders or a substance abuse disorder.

A lack of objective criteria has made the diagnosis of IED difficult, especially since there is no specific Intermittent Explosive Disorder test, but there are certain signs and symptoms that could be an indication of the presence of the disorder.  

Signs and Symptoms

Intermittent Explosive Disorder can manifest in a variety of different ways. However, its identifying characteristic is explosive outbursts that can last up to 30 minutes. These outbursts can occur with little to no warning and can happen either frequently or sporadically. Intermittent Explosive Disorder can also be characterized by perpetual feelings of aggression and agitation. Signs and symptoms that may occur within an IED episode can include:2

  • Irritability
  • Increased energy
  • Racing thoughts
  • Tremors
  • Palpitations
  • Chest tightness
  • Tantrums
  • Risk of harming others
  • Physical or verbal violence

How Common Is IED?

According to the National Institute for Mental Health, Intermittent Explosive Disorder can affect up to 7.3% of adults.3 However, since diagnosis statistics for mental health disorders are often understated, alongside the lack of an objective Intermittent Explosive Disorder test, this percentage may be much larger.

What Causes IED?

The exact cause of IED has not yet been established, but researchers believe several genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of the disorder.  

Risk Factors

There have been several studies linking the development of IED with exposure to trauma, especially in childhood. However, other factors can significantly raise the risk for development, including:

  • Being male
  • Anger issues
  • History of a substance abuse disorder
  • Exposure to violence at an early age
  • Certain medical conditions

Complications from IED

IED can increase the risk for the development of other conditions, both mental and physical, as a direct result of outbursts. Isolation as a form of self-treatment of both IED and trauma can lead to impaired mental health, which can cause depression and anxiety.    

How is Intermittent Explosive Disorder Diagnosed?

For IED to be diagnosed, the individual must experience the recurrent outbursts as described above: brief periods of intense emotion, usually rage, that can have destructive tendencies. Then, to ensure that the episodes have developed on their own, a certified health professional will conduct an exam to detect any underlying conditions or substance use disorders.   

What is Trauma?

Trauma is how the body responds to the emotions associated with a distressing event, such as an accident or abuse, that overwhelms the mind’s coping abilities, resulting in long-term negative effects.   

Types of Trauma

There are three main types of trauma: acute, chronic, and complex.4

  • Acute trauma occurs when the body and mind are exposed to a single distressing or dangerous situation. This type of trauma is most often seen after natural disasters, accidents, or in victims of violent crimes.
  • Chronic trauma occurs from prolonged exposure to distressing events. Often, chronic trauma begins to manifest in childhood through child abuse and bullying, but it can also affect survivors of abuse in adulthood.
  • Complex trauma occurs when the body undergoes several events of acute trauma through exposure to multiple traumatic events.

Trauma can also be indirect, as seen through secondary or vicarious trauma. This type occurs when a person develops trauma symptoms due to close contact with someone who has experienced one of the three types of traumas. Vicarious trauma is most often seen in those who care for people suffering from negative experiences, such as family members or close friends.

Causes of Trauma

Trauma occurs any time the body undergoes a distressing situation in which it is unable to cope. While there are no set criteria to evaluate whether trauma will manifest as the result of an event, there are certain circumstances where it occurs most often. Some of the most common causes of trauma are:

  • Abuse
  • Death of a loved one
  • Natural disasters
  • Violent crimes
  • War
  • Accidents

The Connection Between Childhood Trauma and IED

While the exact science between childhood trauma and IED is still being explored in today’s psychology world, there are several studies available that suggest a strong connection. Available information on early childhood brain development as well as trauma as a trigger incident points to this link.   

Studied on IED and Trauma

One study published in Psychiatry Research found that, of 4844 trauma-exposed and 731 non-trauma-exposed adults, those who had pre-existing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, had experienced great trauma in the child, or who otherwise had a form of PTSD were more likely to have experienced IED. Development was most likely in those who’d first been exposed to trauma in childhood, such as through abuse or great loss.5   

Intermittent Explosive Disorder Prevention

While genetics play a large, uncontrollable role in the development of IED, it is possible to help control the environmental factors that contribute to it. To prevent the condition, prevention measures must begin in childhood under the parents’ guidance.

Creating a healthy, safe environment for childhood development is one of the most significant steps in preventing Intermittent Explosive Disorder. IED tends to develop in children who grew up in a home where explosive behavior and different forms of abuse were common.

Treating trauma earlier can also be beneficial. If a parent’s child is exposed to trauma at an early age, undergoing treatment with a pediatric psychotherapist can aid in prevention.   

Treatment Methods

Intermittent Explosive Disorder can be managed through a variety of forms of treatment, improving the individual’s quality of life.

Trauma Treatment

Due to the correlation between childhood trauma and the presence of IED, one of the most common forms of treatment is trauma treatment. Trauma treatment can occur in many forms, including in-patient care and psychotherapy.

IED Treatment

Intermittent Explosive Disorder treatment can consist of many different forms of medication, psychotherapy, and dual diagnosis for trauma and associated conditions. For many, in-patient rehabilitation can also be beneficial.

Resources

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3637919/
  2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11920-000-0045-z
  3. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/intermittent-explosive-disorder-affects-16-million-americans
  4. https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_3_types_of_trauma/article.htm
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22464047/    

article contents

Start Healing Today

Pacific Beach Health is the community’s only outpatient provider specialized in integrative behavioral health care.
If you are looking for help or would like to schedule a consultation, we are ready to help you today.

CALL US TODAY: 858.295.8694
logo | PacificBeachHealth

©2021 Pacific Beach Health All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Treatment Website by Active Marketing