Road Rage: A Mental Menace

They might be friends; they might be neighbours. They might have had a bad day at work, or probably a fight with a loved one that forced them to shout at you because their car almost collided with yours. It might be their mistake, but you are the one apologising. You might think of it as a trivial issue, but for them, it is a bigger problem. 

Yes, there is a name to it – Road Rage! 

It can be triggered with the minutest issues like traffic jam. It might range from temper outbursts to swearing at people to even breaking objects including incidents of physical violence. Let’s dive deep into this. Is it just the heat of the moment or is this really a medical condition?

The science behind sudden outbursts

By definition, this disorder is known as ‘Intermittent Explosive Disorder’. It’s not just bad behaviour requiring and an attitude adjustment, but it’s deeper than that. It needs medical intervention and therapy.  

Causes and Symptoms

The symptoms of these Intermittent Explosive Disorder appear in childhood. Although the exact reasons are not known yet, but the possible assumptions are:

• Growing up in an explosive environment and being exposed to violence at a young age
• A genetic component that is passed on to the children by their parents
• The neurological difference in the way one’s brain functions

Apart from these factors, children who have been abused or have been exposed to multiple traumatic events in their early childhood or early teens often display such behaviour. Often, uncontrolled aggression also comes to these children as a defence mechanism. 

What we see at the signals, or the crossroads or while changing a driving lane is just the tip of the iceberg. People who are mostly the initiators of road rage are dealing or might be dealing with multiple problems. 

The most common struggles of people with IED (Intermittent Explosive Disorder)

• Problems with relationships. They are labelled as the grumpy cats, the perpetually angry tigers and what not. They are not very friendly by nature and can get annoyed easily. Rest assured, they have a problem bonding with people.
• Career struggles:  There is difficulty in maintaining interpersonal relationships might cause problems professionally, and might even force them to resort to alcohol or other substances.
• Physical health problems: IED can cause medical conditions that can include, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, ulcers, and chronic pain.

Although the problems are severe, there are ways through which the anger and the rage can be controlled to some extent. If you know a ‘Road-Rager’, then help create a positive environment, assist in practicing techniques of mindfulness, and help them get professional help if required.