Intermittent explosive disorder tied to increased risk of drug abuse
People with this impulsive aggression disorder often end up developing a substance use disorder.
People diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder – a condition characterised by frequent and impulsive aggressive behaviour – may be more at risk of substance abuse, scientists have said.
Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) - the international reference for the classification of psychiatric disorders. However, much remains to be discovered about its epidemiology.
In the US, it's estimated that 16 million of people suffer from it. That's more than bipolar disorder and schizophrenia combined.
It has previously been shown that a person diagnosed with IED may also be suffering from other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety disorders.
However, the debate has yet to be settled when it
comes to the relationship between IED and substance use disorders.
While it is well established that drug use can increase the risk of violent outbursts –whether physical or verbal – it is not clear whether people with IED are more prone than others to using drugs and alcohol.
A risk factor
To settle this question, scientists have analysed data from 9,282 people, collected as part of the National Comorbidity Survey Replication – a nationally representative mental health survey. They have looked at the occurrence of substance use disorders with regards to alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, as well as the occurrence of IED in their sample.
Their analysis reveals that people with IED have an elevated risk of also being diagnosed with a substance use disorder. In more than nine cases out of 10, impulsive aggression was observed before the individuals developed a substance disorder. The findings also suggested that as the severity of aggressive behaviour increased, so did levels of daily and weekly substance use.
The researchers concluded that having history of recurrent, problematic, impulsive aggression is
a risk factor for the later development of substance use disorder, rather than the reverse.
The good news is that treating impulsive aggression before the onset of drug abuse may delay or even stop the development of substance use disorders in young people. Strategies to help IED patients could revolve around early psychological intervention, medication and cognitive therapy.
The full study is published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
More on IED
Intermittent explosive disorder manifests itself through repeated, sudden episodes of impulsive, and violent behaviours, episodes of rage and abusive verbal outbursts.
Road rage, domestic abuse, and throwing objects can be signs of this chronic disorder which can affect the person throughout his/her lifetime. However, frequency may decrease as the person grows in age. IED is more common in people under 40 years old.
Episodes are generally a disproportionate response to the trigger situation and may leave the person feeling remorse and tiredness.
Psychotherapy can help patients learn to control their tantrums and their violent outbursts. People with a history of having been physically abused or who have other psychiatric issues may be more at risk of developing the disorder.
Scientists believe causes are due to a mix of environmental, cognitive and genetic factors. Investigating differences in brain chemistry is one of the most promising leads at present.
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