A couple relationship can be affected by the presence of intermittent explosive disorder. This is a diagnosis that many people have and can cause serious problems with another person. There are stressful situations that can be the reason for intense conflicts between people who are in a relationship. This is negatively affected if either party possesses qualities that respond to this mental health disorder, which It can cause situations of verbal and/or physical violence, ill-treatment to which the person manifests excessive reactions. Although information is known about this subject, it is necessary to provide greater clarity to starting from the understanding of the indicators, the origins of the clinical picture and the resolution of conflicts.
In this Psychology-Online article we will talk about the Intermittent Explosive Partner Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.
Index
- What is intermittent explosive disorder
- How do I know if my partner has intermittent explosive disorder?
- Why does my partner have intermittent explosive disorder?
- How to treat intermittent explosive disorder in the couple
What is intermittent explosive disorder.
Intermittent explosive disorder is a clinical picture that is characterized by the presence of impulsive behaviors that arise suddenly in specific situations. One of the main qualities of this pathology is the manifestation of both physical and verbal violence in the face of events that do not warrant this type of reaction. Intermittent Explosive Disorder has been included in the DSM-V.[1] within the disruptive disorders of impulse control and behavior as a result of their diagnostic criteria.
To consider this problem as a clinical picture, a series of requirements must be met:
- Lack of impulse control accompanied by aggressiveness.
- Impulsiveness generates damage and/or injury to objects, animals and/or people.
- Disproportionate reactions with respect to the initial situations.
- Lack of planning the moment of aggression.
- Deterioration of social, work and family relationships due to these episodes.
- The alterations cannot be explained by the presence of other mental disorders or by the intake of toxic substances and/or medications.
How do I know if my partner has intermittent explosive disorder?
A couple can have this diagnosis, as long as they comply with some manifestations that occur in the bond. Next, we will see how to know if my partner has intermittent explosive disorder:
- Excessive verbal and/or physical responses when a conflict situation arises.
- Humor changes.
- Disadvantages in the regulation of emotions.
- Damages done to the other person or objects that represent it.
- Lack of empathy in moments of crisis.
- Shame after impulsive behavior.
- feeling of blame.
Why does my partner have intermittent explosive disorder?
A couple can be diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder due to a number of causes that lead to the onset of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. Here we will talk about the main reasons:
Environmental factors
First of all, the traumatic experiences in a person's life They determine the way of being in certain circumstances. In general terms, intermittent explosive disorder is formed from exposure to situations of physical and verbal violence by the family environment.
In this way, these reactions are internalized and reproduced in the couple's relationship.
Genetic factors
The altered serotonin levels It results in a lack of regulation of impulses. Likewise, an overactivation of the brain tonsil leads to persistent angry reactions that are not planned.
On the other hand, the genetic inheritance received from the parents can have the effect of acquiring of this problem in the event that any of them has been diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder.
How to treat intermittent explosive disorder in the couple.
Intermittent explosive disorder can be treated by some highly effective therapies:
psychological therapy
Conduct psychological therapy sessions with a mental health professional helps build tools to improve communication in the couple. In this sense, this type of approach works on the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that trigger impulsivity situations in the person suffering from this clinical picture.
In the same way, psychological therapy tries to locate the origin of relationship problems and fosters a space for reflection to improve in everyday life.
psychiatric medication
Generally speaking, people who have been diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder should take anxiolytic medications, stabilizers and/or antidepressants, according to each case. The goal of these medications is to reduce the intensity of the angry outbursts that a person may experience.
However, it is essential that the supply of pharmacological medication be supervised by a mental health professional. In the following article you will find more information about the different Types of psychotropic drugs.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Intermittent Explosive Partner Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.
References
- American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). Arlington: Panamerican Medical Editorial.
Bibliography
- eddy. L. (2020). Behavioral disorders. teen, 8 (1), 28-39.
- Zapata, J.P., Palacio, J. (2016). Intermittent explosive disorder: a controversial diagnosis. Colombian Journal of Psychiatry, 45 (3), 214-223.
