Related Experiment Videos
Rage attacks in children and adolescents with Tourette's disorder: a pilot study
C L Budman1, R D Bruun, K S Park
1Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset 11030, USA.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|December 23, 1998
Summary
Rage attacks in children with Tourette's disorder may be linked to comorbid conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, not mood disorders. This pilot study highlights potential neurological disturbances underlying these explosive episodes.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Tourette's Disorder
Background:
- Rage attacks are common in children with Tourette's disorder, causing significant psychosocial distress.
- The underlying causes of these rage episodes remain largely unknown.
- Comorbidity in Tourette's disorder is a key area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between rage attacks and comorbid disorders in children with Tourette's disorder.
- To explore potential etiological factors for rage symptoms in this population.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study evaluated 12 consecutive children (10 males, 2 females) with Tourette's disorder and rage attacks.
- Diagnosis of Tourette's disorder and comorbid conditions utilized DSM-IV criteria.
- Standardized rating scales assessed tic severity.
Main Results:
- All participants met criteria for Tourette's disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (2 children) and conduct disorder (4 children) were observed.
- No participants met criteria for a mood disorder; tic severity was mild.
Conclusions:
- Rage attacks in Tourette's disorder may indicate specific neurological disturbances, potentially resembling intermittent explosive disorder.
- The presence of comorbid disorders appears to be associated with rage attacks in children with Tourette's disorder.
- Further research is warranted to understand the neurobiology of rage in Tourette's disorder.