Aggression: Clinical Features and Treatment Across the Diagnostic Spectrum

By renowned author Emil F. Coccaro, this comprehensive book delves into the complex phenomenon of aggression, exploring its role in intermittent explosive disorder (IED) and various other psychiatric conditions, including autism and posttraumatic stress.

Understanding Aggression: A Multidimensional Phenomenon

Aggression is a multifaceted phenomenon that can be parsed into cognition, affect, and behavior. As a primary aggression and a symptom of other psychiatric disorders, aggression is both prevalent and destructive, affecting property, relationships, and social order. In this book, the editors, instrumental in developing the DSM classification for IED, provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of diagnostic criteria from the 1950s to the current DSM-5.

A Clinical Perspective: From Phenomenology to Treatment

The book features a consistent chapter structure, moving from phenomenology to psychobiology, clinical approach, and treatment. The emphasis is on the interplay between abnormal psychobiological systems, genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors that contribute to behavioral aggression. Each chapter provides an in-depth exploration of these factors, highlighting their significance in understanding and addressing aggression.

Chapter Topics: Clinical Relevance and Applications

The book covers a range of topics, including:

• Primary aggression, distinguishing form (verbal and physical) and type (direct or indirect)
• Disruptive behavioral disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, with a focus on prevention, assessment, and treatment
• Eating disorders, examining the role of aggression and anger in clinical presentation, prognosis, and treatment
• Anxiety disorders, highlighting the prevalence of aggression, hostility, irritability, and anger in patients with these disorders

Through the use of clinical vignettes, chapter-ending summaries, and informative tables, the book provides a wealth of practical information for clinicians and researchers. Rating scales and summaries of pharmacological management are also included to facilitate effective treatment strategies.

A Comprehensive Resource for Clinicians and Researchers

Aggression: Clinical Features and Treatment Across the Diagnostic Spectrum is a cogent, compelling, and clinically rich resource that examines aggression in its various forms and manifestations, offering cutting-edge guidance on assessment and treatment. This book is an essential reference for mental health professionals, researchers, and students seeking to deepen their understanding of aggression and its far-reaching implications.