title: Problems in the diagnosis of intermittent explosive disorder.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D012737:Sex Factors