Anger Disorder Treatment

Symptoms of an intermittent explosive disorder include verbal or physical acts of aggression, which are often referred to as outbursts. These actions are in response to minimal provocation, can often occur with a known other, and generally have a duration of thirty minutes. Individuals diagnosed with this disorder may experience two types of outbursts. The first type of outbursts is a frequent verbal and physical act of aggression to people, animals, and property that do not cause permanent damage. However, other outbursts are less frequent verbal and physical acts of aggression to people, animals, and property that do cause damage. The diagnosis of intermittent explosive disorder is reserved for individuals over age six (or with a commensurate developmental degree).

The symptoms of this condition are illustrated by at least one of the following:

• For at least three months, an average of at least twices a week, the individual will administer verbal or physical aggression towards people or animals that do not result in injury. They may also have verbal or physical aggression towards property that does not result in physical damage or ruin.
• Within twelve months, at least three times, the individual will administer physical aggression towards people or animals that do result in injury. They can also have physical aggression toward property that does result in physical damage or ruin.
• The individual’s outburst is disproportionate to the provocation or instigating event.
• The acts of verbal or physical aggression are spontaneous, as in not pre-meditated. They are acts of expression of anger but not with an expressed aim of a distinct goal, meaning that the act of aggression is not explicitly performed to gain power or money.
• The acts of verbal or physical aggression cause impairment in social or occupational functioning, distress for the individual, or fiscal or legal consequences. 

Individuals with the diagnosis of clinical conduct disorder will express three of the following criteria within the past twelve months, and one criterion will have been expressed within the past six months. Additionally, the individual’s oppositional behavior will have instigated impairment in functioning in the social, educational, or occupational arenas.

The first symptom is aggression to people and animals, as expressed through:

• Intimidation, threats, and bullying
• The initiation of physical fighting
• Use of a dangerous external weapon
• Physical cruelty to animals
• Physical cruelty to people
• The combination of stealing while confronting as in armed robbery or mugging someone
• Using physical force in sexual activity

The individual may also destroy property, steal, or lie for personal gain. They’re also at a higher risk of violating rules, such as skipping school, staying out later than they’re allowed to, or running away from home.

Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) is a diagnosis reserved for children under age 12. In this disorder, children exhibit behavior that is argumentative, defiant, vindictive, and these individuals express an angry or irritable mood.