Intermittent Explosive Disorder Treatment Center in Wichita Falls

Learn more about intermittent explosive disorder treatment at Red River Hospital in Wichita Falls, TX

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is an impulse-control disorder in which individuals are unable to control aggressive impulses. People with IED participate in repeated episodes of impulsive, aggressive, angry, and violent behavior, as well as verbal outbursts, which are grossly out of proportion to the situation that set them off. Intermittent explosive disorder often results in individuals attacking other people, the property of others, or animals. These outbursts can cause harm to everyone involved, including the person who initiated the behaviors. After the person has calmed down, and the episode has passed, he or she often feels a sense of remorse, regret, or embarrassment about his or her actions. Intermittent explosive disorder can have damaging consequences on the lives of those suffering from the disorder without proper diagnosis and treatment.

Red River Hospital is a 96-bed psychiatric and addiction treatment center located in Wichita Falls, Texas. For over four decades, we have remained steadfast in our diligence to help improve the lives of those who entrust us with their care. Through individualized treatment plans, the caring and compassionate staff at Red River Hospital assist those who are in need of services for behavioral health concerns, substance abuse issues, and co-occurring disorders. Separated into four distinct units, we are able to successfully meet the needs of all age groups, including children, adolescents, adults, and senior adults. We are also proud to offer a specialized military heroes unit for our United States Service Members. At Red River, we know how devastating the symptoms of intermittent explosive disorder can be and we want to guide you as you develop the tools needed to begin rebuilding your life.

Helping a loved one get treatment for IED

If you have a family member or loved on who has intermittent explosive disorder, you may be feeling a mixture of emotions. You might feel angry because of his or her inappropriate behaviors. You might feel frustrated at his or her lack of control over him or herself. You might also feel frightened and on edge because you never know what to expect from your loved one. You are probably concerned about what the future holds for your loved one if he or she cannot overcome his or her destructive behaviors. While you know that your loved one would benefit from mental health treatment, you may be fearful about the thought of approaching him or her with your concerns because you are scared of how he or she will react; scared that he or she will react aggressively or out of hostility. Here are some things to keep in mind when approaching your loved one:

• Educate yourself about IED so that you can present rational options
• Do not judge his or her behaviors, accept that he or she does not have full control over the way that he or she acts
• Do not minimize your loved one’s feelings
• Ensure your loved one that you care about him or her and that you do not hold anything against him or her, regardless of the behaviors that have occurred
• Help your loved one research treatment clinics that treat intermittent explosive disorder
• Offer to go with your loved one to any appointments that are scheduled
• Provide him or her with your unconditional support, knowing that successful treatment will not occur overnight

Why consider treatment for IED at Red River Hospital in Wichita Falls, TX

When individuals have intermittent explosive disorder, it can have an enormously negative impact on all aspects of their lives. Children and adolescents may get expelled from school due to repeated, violent tantrums or engaging in multiple physical fights. They might become outcasts among their peers because other children are afraid of how they behave. Adults may lose their job, lose close friends, or go through a divorce as the result of their frequent anger and recurrent violent outbursts. Additionally, individuals of any age may find themselves in trouble with the legal system due to the behaviors that are symptomatic of IED. While there is no cure for intermittent explosive disorder, it can be positively managed through the implementation of appropriate treatment.

Based on the severity of the symptoms of IED that a person is experiencing, as well as the presence of any substance abuse concerns or co-occurring disorders, inpatient treatment clinics may be a beneficial option for receiving the most thorough treatment. When people enter an inpatient center, they are removing themselves from the different aspects of their environment that may be triggering the onset of some of their rage. Not only are they removed from these triggers, but they are also free from the stresses of daily life, providing them with the opportunity to focus solely on getting well. Through education, behavior modification, various therapeutic interventions, and the support of mental health professionals, people with IED can regain control of their emotions and move forward towards a brighter future.

Red River Hospital philosophy and benefits

When you or a loved one is in crisis, or when life simply seems to have spiraled out of control, the staff at Red River Hospital is here to help. We strive to understand the point of view of others and actively express encouragement as individuals work towards achieving their goals. At Red River, we take responsibility for treating each and every person who comes through our doors with the respect and dignity that he or she deserves. By providing structured scheduling and implementing individualized treatment plans for each patient, we aim to show everyone how they can succeed. We surround patients with every facet of information that they need to get better, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that everyone who comes to us for care leaves our center with the confidence they need to continue on their path of healing.

Types of intermittent explosive disorder treatment offered at Red River Hospital in Wichita Falls, TX

Red River Hospital provides free assessments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These assessments are conducted by a licensed professional and then reviewed by a team member or supervisor. If it is determined that we will be able to fully meet the patient’s needs, one of our physicians is contacted and the admissions process begins. Our dedicated psychiatric staff and multidisciplinary treatment team provide medical management and various therapies designed to encompass the unique needs of each and every patient. We utilize a variety of therapeutic techniques as part of our inpatient care, including the following:

Detoxification: When patients come to Red River and are struggling with chemical dependency concerns, we provide a 5-7 day stay in our detox unit. Here, every individual receives 24-hour monitoring by a team of nurses as his or her body becomes cleansed of any toxic substances that are present. For those who are struggling with intermittent explosive disorder, but are also dependent upon substances, detox marks the beginning of the therapeutic process. To learn more about this process, please see our detoxification program page.

Medication management: In some instances, medication may be used to help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with IED. All patients are seen daily by a psychiatrist in order to ensure that the medications that have been prescribed are working properly and to make any necessary changes.

Group therapy: Inpatient treatment at Red River are group-focused, with a variety of groups being held daily. Some of the topics that are covered in these groups include anger management, conflict resolution, effective communication skills, appropriate assertive behavior skills, and medication management. On our geriatric unit, additional groups and activities are held in order to assist in reality orientation.

Family therapy: At Red River, we see each disorder as a family disorder because these illnesses not only impact the life of the individual who has the disorder but the lives of each patient’s family members as well. We believe that if the family is not involved, then the changes that are made during the treatment process will not be carried over into the home environment. As a result, we encourage family sessions to occur on a regular basis in all units and can be done via telephone if necessary. On our child and adolescent unit, at least one family session is required prior to the patient’s discharge.

Individual therapy: Individual sessions occur on an as-needed basis for all units except our military unit where patients have a minimum of one individual therapy session each week.

Recreational therapy occurs at least once per day and includes activities such as physical therapy and yoga.

Daily school is provided for all of our child and adolescent patients. There is an onsite school room and lessons are led by our public school district’s teachers.

Continuing care and levels of treatment for IED

At Red River Hospital, we recognize that the discharge process can be an intimidating time for patients, so we begin planning for this transition the moment our patients enter the hospital. This plan is consistently reviewed and updated throughout the individual’s stay so that, when the time for discharge arrives, the patient is already set up for the next step in his or her recovery process. We believe that aftercare is a major part of every person’s treatment, so we ensure that the unique needs of each individual will be cared for, whether that be a step down into our partial hospitalization program (PHP) or our intensive outpatient program (IOP), or being provided with referrals for traditional outpatient services. For patients who require a structured plan in order to return to life’s daily routines, Red River offers an outpatient program, Pathways, which provides onsite therapy, coping skills training, and supervised medication management. Whatever your needs may be, our caring and compassionate staff will make sure that you are comfortable and confident as you embark on your next stage of recovery.