Psychotherapy for Intermittent Explosive Disorder

The University of Chicago

Status

Completed

Conditions

Anger

Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Treatments

Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral: Supportive Psychotherapy

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00667212

15143A

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness two forms of psychotherapy (also known as "talk therapy" ) for individuals with anger and aggression problems. Anger and aggression are everywhere - on the road, in the schools, at little league games, at home, and at work. In this study we are testing usefulness of anger management techniques in reducing symptoms of Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) and impulsive, aggressive behavior.

Full description

Qualified participants will be randomly assigned to 12 1-hour sessions of either cognitive-behavioral therapy or supportive psychotherapy.

Participation in this study will require 13 visits over approximately 4 months with a 3 follow-up session. Therapy is provided at no cost and each study participant will receive a comprehensive psychological assessment. Two types of talk therapy are being offered in this study. One form of therapy focuses on thought and behaviors associated with anger and aggression. This type of therapy is known as cognitive behavioral therapy. The other type of therapy focuses on the individuals' feeling about their anger /aggression and the situations that lead to this anger. This is known as supportive therapy. The form of therapy you are given will be randomly determined (like by flipping of a coin).

Enrollment

44 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 55 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Have problems with anger, temper outbursts, being irritable, getting in trouble at work or at home because of impulsive/aggressive behavior.
Between the ages of 18 and 55.
Meet other eligibility requirements as outlined by the research protocol.

Exclusion criteria

Lifetime diagnosis of psychosis or bipolar disorder
Current diagnosis of substance dependence or major depressive disorder.
Current suicidal or homicidal ideation,
Recent use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (past month) or other psychotropic medication (past two months)
Recent psychotherapy for aggression (past six months.)