Road bullies may suffer from Intermittent Explosive Disorder, says psychiatrist

PETALING JAYA: Those who show ‘disproportionate behaviours’ in relation to the situation on hand such as the man who damaged the windscreen of a woman’s car could be suffering from Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) said a psychiatrist. 

Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine associate professor Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj (pic) said that even those who are considered to be good-natured or who fulfil their obligations to others could suffer from this disorder, displaying uncharacteristic behaviours. 

“There is a chance that good people can easily snap inside and respond disproportionately to a situation.

“These people are generally very good but they can get irritated or upset at something very small,” he told the Star Online Tuesday.

Earlier this month, images of a man spitting on the windscreen of a woman’s car and damaging it went viral on social media, sparking furious reactions from netizens.

The man is being investigated under Section 427 and 506 of the Penal Code for committing mischief, damages and criminal intimidation.

The man’s friends however had defended him on social networking sites, saying that he was one who would lend a helping hand to those down on their luck among other things.

Dr Andrew said that those who suffered from IED would be threatened by the behaviour of others and over-personalise every interaction.

“They might believe that the threat by the other person hooting at them is purposeful and personal.

“They could even feel offended by a gentle remark.

“They might think that a person who is honking at them wants to knock them down or harm them,” he said adding that those who might be in a possession of a weapon might not hesitate to use it.

Dr Andrew however said that not everybody who responds with aggressive behaviour or road rage had this disorder.

He added that everybody should be careful of such people on the road and not respond to those who might be aggressive on the road.

“We should maintain calm and stress levels and not take anything personally.

“Avoid eye-contact, do not tailgate or honk repeatedly in return.

“Why take the risk and act in a manner that can provoke somebody with IED,” he said.