Intermittent explosive disorder.

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) may best be thought of as a categoric expression of recurrent, problematic impulsive aggressive behavior. Although diagnostic criteria issues have made systematic research in IED difficult, recent work with new research criteria may allow for important empiric work to take place. Given that previous research in the area of impulsive aggression has been highly informative concerning the genetics, biology, and pharmacologic treatment of this behavior, application and extension of this work to IED is crucial. This paper reviews several important aspects of IED including its history in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the formation of new research criteria, and the phenomenologic, epidemiologic, genetic, biologic, and treatment correlates of this disorder.