Treatment for Intermittent Explosive Disorder

The treatment for Intermittent Explosive Disorder is different for each individual. There is no one size fits all standard for all sufferers. Treatment for Intermittent Explosive Disorder typically consists of various types of drugs and/or therapy.

Using Drugs

There are a number of drugs that are used in the treatment of Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Antidepressants, such as Prozac and Paxil, anticonvulsants, such as Tegretol, Dilantin, and Neurontin, anti-anxiety drugs (These are also known as benzodiazepine.), such as Valium, Ativan, and Xanax, and mood stabilizers, such as Inderal and lithium are the drugs that are typically used to treat Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Of course, the type of drugs used in the treatment of this condition will very much depend on the severity, as well as the individual sufferer, and other drugs than the ones listed here may also be used during the course of treatment of this condition (Mayo Clinic Staff).

Using Therapy

There are combinations of various types of therapy that are used in the treatment of Intermittent Explosive Disorder. An individual with Intermittent Explosive disorder will benefit from individual and group therapy. Along with individual and group therapy, it is beneficial that the individual receive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps individuals with Intermittent Explosive Disorder identify which situations and behaviors that may cause the outbursts to occur. What's even more important is that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy enables individuals with Intermittent Explosive Disorder to learn how to keep their anger in check and learn how to better handle these situations and behaviors when they come up by using various relaxation techniques (Mayo Clinic Staff).

Along with these Intermittent Explosive Disorder treatments, it is important that individuals receive a lot of support from their loved ones and friends. This support is crucial to helping them with the difficulties in life that come up, and it gives these individuals the power to succeed. It is so important that these individuals know that they have a good support system and that there will be people to stand by them unconditionally. Knowing that they have unconditional support will also help with their anxiety. This is because they do not have to worry about the fear of nobody loving them or wanting to avoid them because they have outbursts that are immensely difficult to control.

When individuals with Intermittent Explosive Disorder receive the proper treatment and support, they are able to lead normal, productive, and healthy lives. Their aggressive outbursts will be kept to a minimum, and they will not have to suffer the embarrassment and the sorrow that typically comes with these outbursts. These individuals will be able to feel good about themselves, possess a high level of confidence, and have peace of mind.

Work Cited

Mayo Clinic Staff. "Intermittent Explosive Disorder." Mayo Clinic. N.p., 2010. Web. 24 Aug. 2010.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/intermittent-explosive-disorder/DS00730.