Researchers at Harvard Medical School have determined that Intermittent Explosive Disorder is more common than originally thought. It is a severe and persistent disorder that goes beyond the usual teenage angst and anger. Concerned parents might consider speaking with a psychologist about whether or not their teen has this disorder.
I have to admit, I had never heard of Intermittent Explosive Disorder, or IED, before reading an article from Time. It is a real disorder that affects around 8% of teens, (which comes to about 6 million teenagers). This disorder is quite different from the usual “attitude” that teenagers typically give to their parents when they are going through a certain stage of development.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. To meet the definition of IED, “a person must have three episodes of “impulsive aggressiveness grossly out of proportion to any precipitating psychosocial stressor”, at any time during their lives. In other words, it isn’t a disorder that only affects teenagers. It can also be something that affects adults.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School took a look at data from national surveys of around 6,500 American teenagers. The teens were between the ages of 13 and 17. Some survey data came from the parents of the teens. They found some really interesting, and frightening, things.
IED is more common than originally thought. Kids can start showing signs of it in late childhood, and the disorder can persist through adolescence. It is a chronic disorder. It has been linked with later problems such as depression and substance abuse in adulthood.
The researchers also found that, (among the study participants), only 38% of the teens who had IED actually received treatment for emotional problems in the year before the survey was done. However, only 17% of them received treatment that was specifically for anger, or anger management.
Not much has been written about this disorder. Parents who have concerns that their teenager might be suffering from Intermittent Explosive Disorder should seek the advice of a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in working with adolescents. That person would have the right education and expertise to be able to advise you, and your teen, about potential behavioral issues. Parents should not simply assume that their teenager has IED, nor should they blow off the problem as typical teenage hormonal and emotional expressions.
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