Everyone, from young children to seniors, experiences anger at some time or another. Teenagers and young adults may experience anger outbursts, especially when they don’t get what they want. However, for some, anger is a deep psychological disorder that could manifest itself with serious violence if left untreated. Also known as Intermittent Explosive Disorder or IED, it is very common in young men, with 1 in 14 adults suffering from the disorder.

 

Symptoms

Those with IED may attack others and their possessions, causing bodily injury and property damage. Sixteen percent of people who suffer from IED may also injure themselves during an outburst by punching their bedroom wall or breaking through a door. Usually those with IED feel guilt or remorse for their action, they regret and are extremely embarrassed by their outburst.

Those with IED do feel immediate guilt or remorse; it is not a sociopathic type of disorder. However, those with IED can hurt the ones they love by inflicting property damage, bodily harm, and self-harm.

Some symptoms of IED include an increase in energy, irritability, tendencies toward rageful outbursts, chest tightness, racing thoughts, panic, heart palpitations, and pressure. No one is really sure what causes IED, but scientists believe that it is a mixture of environment and genetics, environment meaning learned behavior.

Treatments

Here at Rites of Passage NW, we can help such disorders as IED with physical activity such as our wilderness treks and survival training. Our program is not based on physical activity alone, however, and teens will be expected to participate in group and individual therapy by a certified counselor as well. By getting back to nature and practicing introspection, we believe that IED can be combatted naturally, without the use of medication.