episodic dyscontrol
A personality disorder marked by episodes of impulsive aggressiveness disproportionate to precipitating events. Intermittent explosive disorder is a pattern of behavior that may result in serious assaults or destruction of property.
SEE: amok (1).
In recent years the disorder has gained media attention after several instances of aggressive, violent, or homicidal behavior by previously normal high school students resulted in the deaths of classmates, teachers, or family members. The disorder is more common in young men than in women. It is only diagnosable when other causes of violent behavior (such as conduct disorder, cognitive impairment, delirium, hallucinations) or other psychiatric illnesses have been excluded.