Should I Seek Professional Help for My Child’s Anger Outbursts?

A child is expressing rage.

Anger issues can vary in severity and impact individuals differently. While occasional feelings of anger are normal, if your child is experiencing impulsive anger that is out of proportion to the event that triggered it, it may be a sign of intermittent explosive disorder.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder


The Cleveland Clinic describes intermittent explosive disorder (IED) as an angry outburst that can result in physical harm to the person with IED acting out, other people, or animals. This is a serious condition, and it is essential to seek medical treatment for IED as soon as possible.

IED aggressive outbursts:

  • Are impulsive (not planned)
  • Happen rapidly after being provoked
  • Last no longer than 30 minutes
  • Cause significant distress
  • Cause problems at school, work, and/or home

Examples of how the anger manifests include:

  • Temper tantrums
  • Verbal arguments, which may include shouting and/or threatening others
  • Physically assaulting people or animals, such as shoving, slapping, punching, or using a weapon to cause harm
  • Property/object damage, such as throwing, kicking, or breaking objects and slamming doors

The anger episodes can be mild or severe. They may involve hurting someone badly enough to require medical attention or even cause death.


Call Us Today!


If your child is experiencing significant difficulties with anger, it is important to seek professional help right away. Saber Psychiatry was formed to evaluate and treatpsychiatric disorders in children, adolescents, and adults in Franklin and Middle Tennessee.

We are currently accepting new patients ages 2 to 65. Call our offices at 615.678.7839 to schedule an appointment.

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