Anger & Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Overview

Skills-based + cognitive interventions show the strongest effects. Identify the precipitating chain, install pause + de-arousal skills, then address underlying beliefs about respect, control, and threat.

First-line treatments

• CBT — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  Anger-specific CBT (Deffenbacher / Novaco) — relaxation, cognitive restructuring, skills rehearsal.

• DBT — Dialectical Behavior Therapy

  Distress tolerance + opposite action + emotion regulation modules apply directly.

Also consider

• ACT

  Defusion from righteous-anger thoughts; values-based action.

• IFS

  Anger as a protector of a more vulnerable exile.

• Schema

  When anger drives chronic interpersonal patterns rooted in early invalidation.

Cautions

• Screen for intimate partner violence — anger management alone is not appropriate when IPV is present.

Related tools

• DBT Skills List — the Complete DBT Skills Toolbox

Related worksheets

• The Anger Iceberg
• Opposite Action
• TIPP
• Soft Startup Scripts
• Check the Facts