Symptom Tests for Adults

[Self-Test] Do I Have Intermittent Explosive Disorder?

Do you get angry for no good reason? If you feel unable to rein in sudden outbursts of rage over sometimes small problems, then we recommend taking this symptom test for Intermittent Explosive Disorder and sharing the results with a medical professional.

Eileen Bailey
By Eileen Bailey Verified Medically reviewed by J. Russell Ramsay, Ph.D. Reviewed on October 8, 2019
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Do I Have Intermittent Explosive Disorder?

Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) is characterized by repeated and sudden episodes of aggressive or violent behavior that can be verbal or physical in nature and are disproportionate to the triggering situation. IED typically appears for the first time during the teen years, but symptoms can continue into adulthood; it is most common in people under the age of 40, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Answer the following questions to determine whether you show possible signs of Intermittent Explosive Disorder, and then share the results with a medical professional for further evaluation.

This questionnaire is designed to determine whether you demonstrate symptoms similar to those of intermittent explosive disorder (IED). If you answer 'Very Frequently' or 'Often' to a significant number of these questions, consult a licensed mental health practitioner. An accurate diagnosis can only be made through clinical evaluation.

Are your partner, children, and other family members afraid of you? Do they go to great lengths to not make you angry, knowing that even the smallest annoyance or frustration can bring on an episode?

Have you paid fines or been arrested for crimes involving anger, such as domestic violence, physical altercations, verbal threats, or road rage?

Do you have an overall feeling of irritability and find it difficult to relate to other people because you are easily annoyed at their behaviors or opinions?

Are your anger episodes extremely intense, but over in about 30 minutes? Once your anger has subsided, do you feel tired and embarrassed about your behavior?

When an episode has ended, do you feel great remorse and regret? Do you promise to never behave in that way again? But then, when the anger builds again, do you feel you are unable to control it?

Do you anger quickly and for relatively inconsequential reasons? For example, would you become enraged if dinner were not cooked the way you liked it, if one of your children spilled something, or if a task were not completed to your liking?

Have you been accused of cruelty to animals? Have you kicked or hit your pets for minor infractions, such as urinating on the carpet or jumping on the furniture?

Were you physically or emotionally abused as a child or did you witness a family member abuse people and animals, either verbally or physically?

When an episode begins, do you lose the ability to think about the consequences of your actions? Does it feel as if you have no control over your thoughts and react without thinking?

During a violent episode, might you scream, kick, push, shove or punch others? Do you show your anger by destroying property, throwing and breaking items, punching holes in walls, or kicking in doors?

Do certain situations, such as being told what to do or being publicly corrected for your language or behavior, make you particularly angry? Are you similarly triggered when you perceive that someone has treated you unfairly or that you did not get what you wanted?

Do you use alcohol or other substances to help relieve the feelings of frustration or anger, but feel they don’t help — and may actually increase your feelings of anger and increase your violent or aggressive behavior?

Have you considered suicide or acted in ways that were harmful to yourself?

Have you lost several jobs, mostly for your irritable attitude? Do you become argumentative with coworkers and have a difficult time taking direction from superiors? Have you yelled and cursed at your boss or coworkers?

Do you have a history of other mental health conditions, such as antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, mood disorder, anxiety, or substance abuse?

Can’t see the self-test questions above? Click here to open this test in a new window.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder in Adults: Next Steps