Aggression

Aggression and violence remain a central clinical issue worldwide. Aggression has many meanings, and the term occurs in a variety of contexts. In this article, violence and aggression will be considered together. Aggression is any behavior, including verbal events, which involves attacking another person, animal, or object with the intent of harming the target. Similarly, violence is intentionally using physical force to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.

Biological, psychological, and socioeconomic influences must be considered when discussing the etiology of aggression. Biological causes include genetics, medical and psychiatric diseases, neurotransmitters, hormones, abused substances, and medications. Psychological causes include numerous Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) diagnoses. Socioeconomic causes include interpersonal, social, group, neighborhood, economic, and cultural conditions that can create the potential for or actual violence. Importantly, these factors often act concomitantly.

Violence is ubiquitous. United States statistics, collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and reported in the 2013 Unified Crime Report, noted that there were an estimated 1,163,146 violent crimes that occurred nationwide. Also, information collected regarding types of weapons in violent crime showed that firearms were used in 69% of murders, 40% of robberies, and 21.6% of aggravated assaults. Furthermore, a woman was beaten every 9 seconds. On average, nearly 20 people per minute were physically abused by an intimate partner. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. Also, one in five women and one in 71 men, in the United States, have been raped in their lifetime. Nearly half of female (46.7%) and male (44.9%) victims of rape knew their attackers. Finally, 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.

Origins

Although the definition of aggression is simple and straightforward, its origins remain complex and frequently depend upon other, often contradictory, factors. In this exploration, there will be a review of the biological, psychological, and social causes of violence. In exploring the biological basis, there is an analysis of the genetics, brain structures, medical diseases, neurotransmitters, hormones, abused substances, and medications that contribute to aggression. In the psychological assessment, there is an investigation of the DSM–5 diagnoses linked to aggression. Finally, there is an investigation into the social and environmental roots of violence.

Biologic Contributions

• Genetics can contribute to aggressive behavior in several ways. Male gender is the foremost predictor of aggression. Whether through testosterone or societal expectations, males are dramatically over-represented as perpetrators of violence. Prison populations demonstrate this. Persons born with trisomy 21, or Down syndrome, experience an intellectual deficiency in certain challenging situations and may become aggressive. Certain people are born with a deficiency in an allele for monoamine oxidase (MOA), which metabolizes serotonin. This can cause an increase in serotonin and excess serotonin has been linked to aggression, especially in individuals living in a stressful socioeconomic environment.
• Certain brain structures and connections have been correlated with aggressive behavior. The prefrontal cortex serves as the executive functioning of the central nervous system. Lesions or neuronal changes, such as can occur in Alzheimer disease, can remove the inhibitions normally applied and result in unchecked aggressive activity. If there is an overactive amygdala that is coupled with a less active prefrontal cortex, the potential for violence increases.
• Some medical diseases result in aggression. Patients with epilepsy, especially with origins in either the temporal or the frontal lobes, have been associated with violence.  Respiratory patients, especially those with either asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in moments of breathing distress, have been known to become aggressive. The most important medical condition that can cause aggression is the pain. Regardless of the physical origin of the pain, the person often strikes out in response to the unbearable discomfort.
• Several neurotransmitters have been linked to aggressive behavior, usually when they are excessive or deficient. Serotonin in both excess and deficiency has been correlated with aggression. Where there has been too much serotonin, an inability for MAOs to metabolized serotonin has been the culprit. Low serotonin has been correlated with depression, violence, and suicide. Excess dopamine has been demonstrated to be involved in aggression. This can be clinically observed in persons with schizophrenia, as high dopamine levels are characteristic, as well as in patients with Parkinson who are treated with dopamine-enhancing medications resulting in increased dopamine levels. Gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and a deficiency allows other neurotransmitters to go unchecked.
• Hormones have been implicated in aggression. First and foremost, testosterone plays a major role in aggression. The link in a male is obvious, but women receiving testosterone have become aggressive. Low glucocorticoid levels have been correlated with aggressive activity. High levels of glucocorticoid via medical treatment with medications such as dexamethasone can be associated with aggression.
• A number of abused substances can lead to aggressive behavior. The pharmacological properties of the substances usually are involved. However, for many individuals, the withdrawal experience may propel them toward violence to obtain the offending agent. Although an abused substance may provoke an idiosyncratic aggressive display, several abused substances rank high in their potential to create violence. Alcohol is a common cause of aggression because it can lower the repressive barriers of prior controlled emotions, including rage. Hallucinogens such as mescaline, peyote, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or ecstasy, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) can precipitate terrifying, commanding, and frightening experiences that result in violent behavior. Phencyclidine (PCP), also known as angel dust, not only makes the user feel superhuman and impervious to pain but also can cause powerful, violent behaviors. Users of PCP have committed homicides. Also, anabolic steroids, often used for physical enhancement, may cause aggressive rage.
• Some prescribed medications have an aggressive response as a side effect. For example, antidepressants, especially in children, have been documented to lead to suicidal and homicidal behavior. Drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease, such as carbidopa-levodopa, increase dopamine and can cause patients to become paranoid and aggressive. Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid widely used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, can cause patients having periods of violence.

Psychological Causes

Although any individual may become aggressive for a variety of reasons, there is a number of specific DSM-5 diagnoses which have violent behavior as one of their features. These include bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, the dementia group, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and acute stress disorder. Also, several of the disorders associated with childhood and adolescence, intellectual deficiencies, some personality disorders, and intermittent explosive disorder are associated with violent behavior. As noted earlier, aggression can result from a combination of several conditions. For example, certain persons with PTSD may become violent after consuming alcohol.

It has known patients with the bipolar affective disorder to become excessively agitated and aggressive, especially during the manic phase. Grandiose delusions often not only dramatically inflate their self-view but also make them demanding of others and combative to those not acknowledging their perceived greatness. Patients with schizophrenia can be aggressive when responding to command hallucinations ordering them to harm others. Patients with a wide range of dementias, such as Alzheimer disease, not only have memory deficiencies but also lose their executive functions. These executive functions provide good judgment and inhibit unacceptable impulses. This can account for some of the violence seen in long-term care facilities and in places where patients with traumatic brain injuries are treated.

An overwhelming stress can make certain individuals aggressive. It is their way of coping. Patients with PTSD struggle with a host of symptoms which can promote potential aggression. These symptoms include hypervigilance, flashbacks, and nightmares, and can lead to aggression. Several childhood diagnoses including conduct disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can result in aggressive behavior, as can disorders along the autism spectrum, because of communication difficulties, impulsiveness, low tolerance, and frustration.

Persons with intellectual deficiencies, when confronting difficult tasks and situation, may resort to violence as a coping mechanism. Certain personality disorders, such as antisocial personality and borderline personality, can cause individuals to exhibit belligerence. Individuals who are antisocial lack an empathic view and have an egocentric center of gravity which can promote aggression. A person with a borderline personality who is overwhelmed and has boundary issues can become aggressive. Finally, aggression is at the core of persons with the intermittent explosive disorder.

Aside from these formal diagnoses, when people are afraid, overwhelmed, feel threatened, or feel out of control, perplexed, disorientated, or frustrated, they often respond aggressively.

Sociocultural Economic Factors                      

The environment can contribute to aggression on many levels: interpersonal, social, group, neighborhood, economic, and cultural conditions can create the potential for or actual violence.

Interpersonal: Interpersonal aggression occurs in a variety of settings. One of the most noted is domestic violence. An intimate relationship can promote violence through jealousy, fear of abandonment, domination, and control issues. This involves spousal or companion abuse. In its extreme form, intimate aggression can ultimately result in homicide or suicide. Other forms of domestic violence include child abuse and senior abuse. Relationships generate intense emotions.

Social: In social situations, frustrations can accumulate over time. This is known as an incubation period. In sociology, there is the term "relative deprivation."  In this phenomenon, an oppressed group is granted some gains. They have not achieved all they wanted, but there have been some advances. However, instead of the people being grateful, they realize that they have not received all the items of which they have been deprived and act aggressively. For some, they accumulate enough things that annoy them, and they reach a "tipping" point, where the aggression frequently erupts in violence.

Group: Group experiences also can cause aggression. When many people assemble in one place, there can be a growing aggression. Examples include organizational and athletic team initiation rituals and gangs who demand a violent act to prove membership.

Neighborhood: One’s immediate neighborhood can be related to violent acts. Certain urban sections are known for their violence. These communities feature drive-by shootings, high crime rates, and dilapidated dwellings. For some people, these conditions can contribute their aggression.

Economic: Economic conditions can affect the level of aggression. Poverty, income inequalities, and high unemployment have been associated with aggression. Individual acts of violence occur within the greater social and political contexts. Individuals feeling alienated, oppressed, subjected to discrimination, and marginalized may be predisposed to aggression.

Culture: Certain cultures and certain climates can contribute to violence. Cultures exist which focus on competitiveness and praise combative sports and recreation. Such societies promote and lionize violence. Similarly, climate can influence behavior. Warmer weather and climates have been correlated with aggression.

In assessing aggression, psychiatric history and mental status examination provide the basic, critical information. A patient’s history of prior violent behavior suggests the future potential for aggression. In the history, knowledge about the circumstances of the violent behavior provides an indication of potential future episodes. Similarly, a family history of violence gives an indication of future probability. It is important to ask about a military history and involvement in the criminal justice system. Review of medications, alcohol use, and the use of abused substances such as PCP and LSD can provide key information as to potential sources of aggression.

A mental status exam supplies additional information. Directly asking if the person has thoughts of suicide or homicide provides important information. The patient should be asked for a reason for his or her hostility. Hallucinations and delusions suggest the diagnosis of mania, schizophrenia, or drug intoxication. Difficulties with an orientation to time, place, and person, as well as recall problems (immediate, recent, and distant) indicate delirium, dementia, or substance withdrawal.

If the patient already is engaged in aggressive behavior, there is a different approach. Aggression represents an emergency situation which calls for swift, decisive intervention. Several things must be done simultaneously: Summon others, remove others from harm's way, contain the patient, and eliminate any implements which may be used to inflict harm.

Excess testosterone can be treated with antiandrogen medications. In cases of epilepsy, one can use anticonvulsants. For those fighting for breath, such as with asthma or COPD, treat the immediate condition with increased controlled oxygen, inhalers, and corticosteroids. In cases of expressive aphasia, find alternative methods by which the individual can communicate. When the cause is excessive dopamine, such as in persons with schizophrenia and the use of certain parkinsonian medical treatments, block and lower the neurotransmitter. When physical pain is the culprit, address the cause of the pain and provide analgesic preparations.

In the deficiency of GABA, use GABA supplements. Extremes of glucocorticoids, both high and low, need to be corrected. With alcohol-related aggression, employ limits to consumption to prevent intoxication and actively treat for alcohol withdrawal symptoms. If the person is experiencing a hallucinogen-induced aggressive episode, put him or her in a quiet, low stimulus, and safe environment. For PCP-related violence, employ parenteral benzodiazepines. If one is taking an antidepressant or corticosteroids that induce aggression, stop their use.

For delirium, address the underlying medical condition. For dementia of the Alzheimer type, a simple, safe environment with the use of medication which increases acetylcholine and glutamate can help. If aggression results from bipolar disorder, treat the depression or mania or prevent the cycle with mood stabilizing medication such as lithium.

Aggression has a huge impact not only on the person struggling with the condition but on friends, family, the therapist, and the community. For some people, their aggressive behavior makes them feel remorseful; for others, it actually can escalate their hostility. For the family, aggression is disruptive and dangerous. Parental violence has consequences for their children. The community may choose to isolate itself from aggression by hospitalizing or incarcerating individuals deemed dangerous to others.