Intermittent Explosive Disorder Treatment Clinic

Learn about IED

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is a mental illness that involves repeated episodes of impulsive, aggressive, violent behavior or angry, verbal outbursts in which an individual acts totally out of proportion to the situation. Individuals with IED may attack others or their property often causing bodily injury or property damage. Additionally, these individuals are at risk for injuring themselves during an outburst. After an episode, individuals with IED tend to feel regret, remorse, and even embarrassment. However, with proper medication and psychotherapy you can change these aggressive impulses.

For over 30 years, Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, Louisiana has prided itself in being the most comprehensive, free-standing provider of behavioral health services in the area, providing exceptional patient care in the safest environment possible. At Vermilion’s treatment clinic, we understand that struggling with IED can cause significant disruption in your life and at times leave you feeling as if you have no way to control your emotions. This is why we have developed specialized inpatient treatment programs to address the unique needs of all our patients. The staff at Vermilion places focus on client care and patient safety. It is our goal is to provide compassionate, individualized, comprehensive, and high quality care and treatment for individuals who are struggling with psychiatric concerns, chemical dependency issues, or co-occurring disorders. At Vermilion we can help you get control back. We are here to help.

Why consider treatment for IED at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA

Due to the episodes of rage associated with IED individuals may actually cause harm to themselves, others, or valuable property. Additionally, those with this disorder are at an increased risk of developing disorders such as major depression, anxiety, and drug or alcohol abuse problems. Those who repeatedly lash out at loved ones may end up losing their support system and have problems maintaining interpersonal relationships. They may also end up losing their job or have a hard time keeping up in school. In some instances individuals with IED direct their anger at themselves and engage in self-harm or suicide attempts. It is important that individuals with IED get treated immediately in order to prevent future damage and potentially life threatening harm.

Inpatient treatment services have been known to be tremendously successful at providing people with the thorough care they need in order to treat their intermittent explosive disorders. By entering into an inpatient clinic individuals will be able to get away from some of the triggers that cause their angry outbursts, allowing them the time to learn how to manage their anger with coming across these triggers in the future. Additionally, relaxation techniques and cognitive restructuring can be used to help control inappropriate responses and learn more appropriate coping skills. Through a variety of different therapeutic approaches, inpatient rehabs can guide you down the path to recovery.

Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems philosophy and benefits

For over 30 years, Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette has prided itself in being the most comprehensive, free-standing provider of behavioral health services in the area, providing exceptional patient care in the safest environment possible. Our multidisciplinary team of specialty clinical staff, including addiction specialists, social workers, counselors, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, mental health technicians, recreational therapists, and case managers, is devoted to maintaining optimal training and development to increase competency with all of the different populations that we serve. We strive to help our patients explore and process issues and challenges and increase insight and understanding of their own mental health and chemical dependency concerns. By encouraging family involvement and enlisting community support, we aim to assist those who come to us for care in meeting their treatment goals while in the hospital and beyond.

Types of IED treatment offered at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA

Upon first arriving at Vermilion in Lafayette, all patients will receive a free, confidential assessment conducted by one of our assessment and referral specialists. After gathering all pertinent information, the evaluation will be reviewed by one of our psychiatrists, who will then recommend the level of care best suited to meet the patient’s needs.

At Vermilion, we believe in the power of using Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) as our main approach to treatment. We have found that this therapeutic model is suited for treating both acute and short-term lengths of stay due to its effectiveness in working quickly by focusing on skill-building, as well as by identifying and disputing irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions. By implementing this REBT approach to treatment, the therapeutic interventions that are incorporated in our inpatient services include the following:

Detoxification: For adults who come to Vermilion’s treatment rehab with chemical dependency issues, we provide a fully-monitored medical detox rehab. As part of the 12-step model of recovery, we implement the idea of “rational recovery,” designed to provide patients with the recovery skills that can last a lifetime and prevent future struggles with addiction.

Medication management: One aspect of fully treating the symptoms of IED may include some form of medication, which may also be used to treat the symptoms of a co-occurring disorder. Each patient will meet with a psychiatrist on a regular basis in order to monitor the effectiveness of any medication that is prescribed and to make any necessary changes.

Group therapy: Group therapy is the main component of treatment at our inpatient treatment clinic. Various groups are held on a daily basis and may include topics such as:

• Mental illness education
• Anger management and conflict resolution
• Healthy relationships, including developing effective communication skills and appropriate boundaries
• Goal-setting
• Problem-solving
• Medication education
• Holistic wellness

Individual therapy: Individual counseling sessions are held on an as-needed basis and provide patients with time to meet one-on-one with their therapist in order to discuss any specific concerns or struggles that they are facing, as well as to reflect on goals that have been reached.

Family therapy: We believe that positive changes are initiated through the family unit as a whole, which is why we strongly encourage the family members of our patients to actively participate in the therapeutic process. Family therapy sessions are designed to address issues that affect the entire family and begin the process of identifying solutions. We also offer parents and caregivers education on mental illness and medication management so that they can effectively help their loved one.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): This form of therapy is designed to help people create a rich and meaningful life, while developing the skills needed to effectively handle the pain and stress that comes with life’s experiences.

In order to provide a fully comprehensive therapeutic experience, Vermilion also provides the following:

• Experiential therapies
• Expressive therapies
• Recreation therapy

Continuing care and levels of treatment for IED

At Vermilion Behavioral Health in Lafayette, LA, we believe that thorough planning is critical to ensuring a patient is discharged into the most supportive environment possible after their inpatient stay. By doing so, we are able to promote a positive continuity of care and quality of life, maximize stabilization, and minimize the need for re-hospitalization. Our social services staff works with each patient’s treatment team to develop a discharge plan based on the patient’s needs, resources, preferences, geographic location of residence, family involvement, and community resources. With patient consent, this plan is then passed on to the designated discharge planner who initiates referrals, schedules appointments, and finalizes any other necessary arrangements.