A Pilot Study Comparing the Efficacy of Group Versus Individual Anger Management in Subjects With IED

Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) is increasingly acknowledged as a common, potentially disabling psychiatric condition. Despite this, there are currently no empirically supported behavioral treatments for patients with IED. The purpose of the proposed study is to assess the short-term and long-term efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT), previously found to be successful in treating dysfunctional anger, for treating IED. Secondary goals of the project are to: 1. explore mechanisms involved in the successful treatment of IED, and 2. examine individual differences associated with treatment response. Seventy-two subjects meeting for both research and DSM IED criteria will be randomly assigned to either 12 weeks of individual CBT, 12 weeks of group CBT or 12 weeks of a wait-list control condition. Subjects will be assessed before and after therapy/wait-list as well as at 3 month and 6 month follow-up. Primary outcome measures will assess aggressive behavior, anger, and the presence of an IED diagnosis at post-treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up. Social and emotional information processing will be evaluated as potential mechanism of change. Trait aggression will be assessed as a potential moderating variable.