Problems in the diagnosis of intermittent explosive disorder

The authors studied the accuracy with which intermittent explosive disorder was diagnosed in a university hospital setting. An index of diagnostic features abstracted from the description of intermittent explosive disorder in DSM-III was used for chart review. Diagnosis of the disorder was made in 20 out of 830 admissions (2.4%). In 14 cases (1.7%) it was a primary one; in another five (.6%) it was secondary; and in one case (.1%) it was tertiary. The authors discuss the varied rigorousness of the diagnosis and the importance of using an index of diagnostic features to enhance diagnostic accuracy.