Chapter 1

INTRODUCTIONA. Background People with Intermittent Explosive Disorder have episodes where they act on aggressive impulses hat result in serious assaults or destruction of property (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Although it is unfortunately common among general population to observe aggressive outbursts, when you rule out the influence of other disorders (e.g., anti-social personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, a psychotic disorder, Alzheimers disease) or substance use, this disorder is only rarely diagnosed. Research is at the begging stages for this disorder and focuses on the influence of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine as well as testosterone levels, along with their interaction with psychosocial influences (stress, disrupted family life, parenting styles). These and other influences are being examined to explain the orgins of this disorder (Scott, Hilty, & Brook, 2003). Cognitive-behavioral interventions (e.g., helping the person identify and avoid triggers for aggressive outbursts) and approaches modeled after drug treatments appear the most effective for these individuals, although few controlled studies yet exist (McElroy & Arnold, 2001) B. Research Aims This paper aims to: 1. understand what is Intermittent Explosive Disorder (or IED). 2. discover the causes of IED 3. distinguish the symptoms of IED 4. acknowledge the different kinds of treatments for IED

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C. Research Questions The proponent seeks to answer the following: 1. What is Intermittent Explosive Disorder? 2. What are the causes of Intermittent Explosive Disorder? 3. Why do people experience Intermittent Explosive Disorder? 4. What are the symptoms of Intermittent Explosive Disorder? 5. What are the different kinds of treatments for Intermittent Explosive Disorder?

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Chapter 2 METHOD

A. Principles of Organization Analysis Analysis is the examination and evaluation of the relevant information to select the best course of action from among various alternatives. The field of intelligence employs analysts to break down and understand a wide array of questions. Intelligence agencies may use heuristics, inductive and deductive reasoning, social network analysis, dynamic network analysis, link analysis, and brainstorming to sort through problems they face. Military intelligence may explore issues through the use of game theory, Red Teaming, and war gaming. Signals intelligence applies cryptanalysis and frequency analysis to break codes and ciphers. Business intelligence applies theories of competitive intelligence analysis and competitor analysis to resolve questions in the marketplace. Law enforcement intelligence applies a number of theories in crime analysis. Analysis also has a 'divide and conquer' approach applied to systematic examination and evaluation of data, by breaking it into its component parts to uncover their interrelationships. Opposite of synthesis. Examination of data and facts to uncover and understand cause-effect relationships, thus providing basis for problem solving and decision making.

In this paper, the most relevant principle of organization to be used is analysis. With this, the readers could understand more of the topics or a discussion to be analyzed as time goes by.

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B. Theoretical Framework

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With this chart, the readers could get a gist of the flow of the whole concept of this research. With further discussion and analysis, the reader would know more than this flowchart. First, it indicates the few causes of Intermittent Explosive disorder. Second, the several symptoms of IED are stated. Third, there are possible treatments for the patients with IED. With these information, and further discussion, the readers could understand fully why Intermittent Explosive Disorder happens to some people. The readers could also find out the symptoms and possible treatments for the patients.

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Chapter 3

RELATED READINGSIntermittent Explosive Disorder defined

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is a disorder characterized by impulsive acts of aggression, as contrasted with planned violent or aggressive acts. The aggressive episodes may take the form of "spells" or "attacks," with symptoms beginning minutes to hours before the actual acting-out. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , fourth edition, text revision (also known as DSM-IV-TR ) is the basic reference work consulted by mental health professionals in determining the diagnosis of a mental disorder. DSM-IV-TR classifies IED under the general heading of "Impulse-Control Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified." Other names for IED include rage attacks, anger attacks, and episodic dyscontrol (Durand & Barlow, 2005). Intermittent explosive disorder was originally described by the eminent French psychiatrist Esquirol as a "partial insanity" related to senseless impulsive acts. Esquirol termed this disorder monomanies instinctives, or instinctual monomanias . These apparently unmotivated acts were thought to result from instinctual or involuntary impulses, or from impulses related to ideological obsessions (Schmidt, 2009). People with intermittent explosive disorder have a problem with controlling their temper. In addition, their violent behavior is out of proportion to the incident or event that triggered the outburst. Impulsive acts of aggression, however, are not unique to intermittent explosive disorder. Impulsive aggression can be present in many psychological and nonpsychological disorders. The diagnosis of intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is essentially a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that it

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is given only after other disorders have been ruled out as causes of impulsive aggression (Surace, 2010). Patients diagnosed with IED usually feel a sense of arousal or tension before an outburst and relief of tension after the aggressive act. Patients with IED believe that their aggressive behaviors are justified; however, they feel genuinely upset, regretful, remorseful, bewildered or embarrassed by their impulsive and aggressive behavior (First & Tasman, 2009).

Causes of Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Recent findings suggest that IED may result from abnormalities in the areas of the brain that regulate behavioral arousal and inhibition. Research indicates that impulsive aggression is related to abnormal brain mechanisms in a system that inhibits motor (muscular movement) activity, called the serotoninergic system. This system is directed by a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which regulates behavioral inhibition (control of behavior). Some studies have correlated IED with abnormalities on both sides of the front portion of the brain. These localized areas in the front of the brain appear to be involved in information processing and controlling movement, both of which are unbalanced in persons diagnosed with IED. Studies using positron emission tomography (PET) scanning have found lower levels of brain glucose (sugar) metabolism in patients who act in impulsively aggressive ways.

Another study based on data from electroencephalograms (EEGs) of 326 children and adolescents treated in a psychiatric clinic found that 46% of the youths who manifested explosive behavior had unusual highamplitude brain wave forms. The researchers concluded that a significant subgroup of people with IED may be predisposed to explosive behavior by7|P a ge

an inborn characteristic of their central nervous system. In sum, there is a substantial amount of convincing evidence that IED has biological causes, at least in some people diagnosed with the disorder.

Other clinicians attribute IED to cognitive distortions. According to cognitive therapists, persons with IED have a set of strongly negative beliefs about other people, often resulting from harsh punishments inflicted by the parents. The child grows up believing that others "have it in for him" and that violence is the best way to restore damaged self-esteem. He or she may also have observed one or both parents, older siblings, or other relatives acting out in explosively violent ways. In short, people who develop IED have learned, usually in their family of origin, to believe that certain acts or attitudes on the part of other people "justify" aggressive attacks on them.

Although gender roles are not a "cause" of IED to the same extent as biological and familial factors, they are regarded by some researchers as helping to explain why most people diagnosed with IED are males. According to this theory, men have greater permission from society to act violently and impulsively than women do. They therefore have less reason to control their aggressive impulses. Women who act explosively, on the other hand, would be considered unfeminine as well as unfriendly or dangerous (Beck, 1999).

Symptoms of Intermittent Explosive Disorder

IED is characterized by violent behaviors that are impulsive as well as assaultive. One example involved a man who felt insulted by another customer in a neighborhood bar during a conversation that had lasted for several minutes. Instead of finding out whether the other customer intended his remark to be insulting, or answering the "insult" verbally, the8|P a ge

man impulsively punched the other customer in the mouth. Within a few minutes, however, he felt ashamed of his violent act. As this example indicates, the urge to commit the impulsive aggressive act may occur from minutes to hours before the "acting out" and is characterized by the buildup of tension. After the outburst, the IED patient experiences a sense of relief from the tension. While many patients with IED blame someone else for causing their violent outbursts, they also express remorse and guilt for their actions.

IED is apparently a rare disorder. Most studies, however, indicate that it occurs more frequently in males. The most common age of onset is the period from late childhood through the early 20s. The onset of the disorder is frequently abrupt, with no warning period. Patients with IED are often diagnosed with at least one other disorderparticularly personality disorders , substance abuse (especially alcohol abuse) disorders, and neurological disorders (Baumeister, 1999). Diagnosis for Intermittent Explosive Disorder As mentioned, IED is essentially a diagnosis of exclusion. Patients who are eventually diagnosed with IED may come to the attention of a psychiatrist or other mental health professional by several different routes. Some patients with IED, often adult males who have assaulted their wives and are trying to save their marriages, are aware that their outbursts are not normal and seek treatment to control them. Younger males with IED are more likely to be referred for diagnosis and treatment by school authorities or the juvenile justice system, or brought to the doctor by concerned parents. A psychiatrist who is evaluating a patient for IED would first take a complete medical and psychiatric history. Depending on the contents of the patient's history, the doctor would give the patient a physical9|P a ge

examination to rule out head trauma, epilepsy, and other general medical conditions that may cause violent behavior. If the patient appears to be intoxicated by a drug of abuse or suffering symptoms of withdrawal, the doctor may order a toxicology screen of the patient's blood or urine. Specific substances that are known to be associated with violent outbursts include phencyclidine (PCP or "angel dust"), alcohol, and cocaine. The doctor will also give the patient a mental status examination and a test to screen for neurological damage. If necessary, a neurologist may be consulted and imaging studies performed of the patient's brain. If the physical findings and laboratory test results are normal, the doctor may evaluate the patient for personality disorders, usually by administering diagnostic questionnaires. The patient may be given a diagnosis of antisocial or borderline personality disorder in addition to a diagnosis of IED. In some cases the doctor may need to rule out malingering , particularly if the patient has been referred for evaluation by a court order and is trying to evade legal responsibility for his behavior (Tasman, Allan et. al., 1997).

Treatments for Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Little research has been done on patients who meet DSM-IV-TR criteria for IED, although one study did find that such patients have a high lifetime rate of comorbid (co-occurring) bipolar disorder. In some people, IED decreases in severity or resolves completely as the person grows older. In others, the disorder appears to be chronic.

Some adult patients with IED appear to benefit from cognitive

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therapy. A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that cognitive approaches that challenged the patients' negative views of the world and of other people was effective in reducing the intensity as well as the frequency of violent episodes. With regard to gender roles, many of the men reported that they were helped by rethinking "manliness" in terms of self-control rather than as something to be "proved" by hitting someone else or damaging property. Several medications have been used for treating IED. These include carbamazepine (Tegretol), an antiseizure medication; propranolol (Inderal), a heart medication that controls blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms; and lithium, a drug used to treat bipolar type II manicdepression disorder. The success of treatment with lithium and other mood-stabilizing medications is consistent with findings that patients with IED have a high lifetime rate of bipolar disorder (Tasman, Allan et. al., 1997). Possible Preventions for Intermittent Explosive Disorder

As of 2002, preventive strategies include educating young people in parenting skills, and teaching children skills related to self-control. Recent studies summarized by an article in a professional journal of psychiatry indicate that self-control can be practiced like many other skills, and that people can improve their present level of self-control with appropriate coaching and practice (Schmidt, 2009).

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Chapter 4

PROPOSITIONSProposition 1: Intermittent Explosive Disorder is a mental illness where the patient experiences uncontrollable behavior . Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is a mental disturbance that is characterized by specific episodes of violent and aggressive behavior that may involve harm to others or destruction of property. There are some symptoms of IED that are just ordinary to people. And there are symptoms where you could definitely figure out if the person has IED. People diagnosed with IED could do so much chaotic actions. Indeed, many researchers and clinicians are reluctant to accept this disorder as a separate entity, given that anger and aggression are extremely common in a wide range of psychiatric conditions. It is included in the impulse-control disorders. Proposition 2: Intermittent Explosive Disorder is a condition where the patient unknowingly or unintentionally cause destruction to other people. People with IED have this outbreak. And once they experience such outbreak, they could cause massive destruction to people, things and also themselves. These scenarios cannot be prevented. Apparently, people with IED could do harm to anyone once they became angry. Their anger could transform to something called mind frenzy, where they feel adrenaline and just does everything to get their anger out of the way. Yet after this, they feel guilt. And to some point, they have no idea what they just did. Proposition 3: Intermittent Explosive Disorder has many causes. People with IED may attack others and their possessions, causing bodily injury and property damage. Typically beginning in the early teens, the disorder often proceeds and may predispose for later depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Nearly 82 percent of those with IED also had one of these other disorders, yet only 28.8 percent ever received treatment for their12 | P a g e

anger, report Ronald Kessler, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School, and colleagues. In the June, 2006 Archives of General Psychiatry, they suggest that treating anger early might prevent some of these co-occurring disorders from developing. Proposition 4: Intermittent Explosive Disorder has peculiar symptoms. The symptoms of IED can appear at any time from late childhood through the early 20s, although the disorder is not usually diagnosed in children. The onset may be abrupt, without any warning in the form of a period of gradual change in the child or adolescent's behavior. IED appears to be more common in people from families with a history of mood disorders or substance abuse. The severity of the disorder appears to peak in people in their thirties and to decline rapidly in people over 50. Proposition 5: Intermittent Explosive Disorder is misunderstood by some people. There are some people who think that people with IED are entirely dangerous. Yes, they may be aggressive, but they are also humans. These patients never wanted their conditions. They just had this so-called illness because of their unhealthy environment. They go to such treatments to be cured. People shouldnt be so judge mental when it comes to people who are impaired. Although, people could also take precautions when it comes to such patients. Proposition 6: Intermittent Explosive Disorder patients experience guilt after their aggressive breakdown. People diagnosed with IED sometimes describe strong impulses to act aggressively prior to the specific incidents reported to the doctor and/or the police. They may experience racing thoughts or a heightened energy level during the aggressive episode, with fatigue and depression developing shortly afterward. Some report various physical sensations, including tightness in the chest, tingling sensations, tremor, hearing echoes, or a feeling of pressure inside the head.13 | P a g e

Proposition 7: Intermittent Explosive Disorder includes risk factors. In this research, there are some risk factors about IED: People with other mental health problems - such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and eating disorders - may be more likely to also have intermittent explosive disorder. Substance abuse is another risk factor. This disorder may result in job loss, school suspension, divorce, auto accidents or incarceration. IED, an imbalance in brain chemicals, affects up to one in 20 people -- more men than women. IEDrelated injuries occur 180 times per 100 lifetime cases and is significantly comorbid with most DSM-IV mood, anxiety, and substance disorders. Individuals with narcissistic, obsessive, paranoid or schizoid traits may be especially prone to intermittent explosive disorder. As children, they may have exhibited severe temper tantrums and other behavioral problems, such as stealing and fire setting. IED can fuel road rage, spousal abuse, etc., and may also predispose people to other mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, and substance abuse problems. IED could very well be an overlooked explanation for the frequency of violent crimes committed by violent offenders. Individuals with intermittent explosive disorder may attack others and their possessions, causing bodily injury and property damage. Later, they may feel remorse, regret or embarrassment about the aggression. Proposition 8: Intermittent Explosive Disorder shows violence to a whole new level. Since these patients can be aggressive, they do unimaginable actions. There was a show where this kid brought guns in his school in America. He killed some of his schoolmates and some other staffs. The story was, the kid was so sick and tired of being treated wrong by some people in their school. His plan was to show his friends that something big was about to happen. The next day, he brought the guns and shot some students during their prayer circle one morning. This goes to show that one patient with IED could do anything.

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Proposition 9: Intermittent Explosive Disorder can cause suicide to some patients. During this research, there are some reports about people with IED in America. Another case is when two friends did a shootout in their school. Unfortunately, more than 10 died. Including the two suspects. With a patients uncontrollable anger, he or she could hurt people or kill and even hurt himself or herself. This could probably be one of the most tragic cases that can happen to someone with this kind of disorder. Proposition 10: Intermittent Explosive Disorder can cause trauma to those who witness the violent activities of the patient. Its not just the patients who get so terrified with their actions. There are also those who saw it, or the victims of such crimes. Of course, when someone is in an emotional outrage, people tend to freak out. People who witness these things could have intense trauma after each event. On my former propositions, I told a story about murders and suicides. On these cases, those witnesses still think or feel scared about what happened during those times. These scenarios can be plastered to every witness memory. Unfortunately for some, they live with it forever. Some of them also go to therapies just to get rid of those memories. Proposition 11: Intermittent Explosive Disorder rarely happens to anyone. Although the editors of DSM-IV stated in 2000 that IED "is apparently rare," a group of researchers in Chicago reported in 2004 that it is more common than previously thought. They estimate that 1.4 million persons in the United States meet the criteria for IED, with a total of 10 million meeting the lifetime criteria for the disorder. Most patients are young men and history will often involve frequent traffic accidents, moving violations and possibly sexual impulsivity. These patients may exhibit extreme sensitivity to alcohol. This disorder is a controversial category because some clinicians believe that it is only a symptom of other diagnoses rather than a disorder on its own.

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Proposition 12: Intermittent Explosive Disorder can be cured by Cognitive Behavioral interventions. If the patient appears to be a danger to self or others, he or she may be committed for further treatment. In terms of legal issues, a physician is required by law to notify the specific individuals as well as the police if the patient threatens to harm particular persons. In most states, the doctor is also required by law to report suspected abuse of children, the elderly, or other vulnerable family members. Some persons with IED benefit from cognitive therapy in addition to medications, particularly if they are concerned about the impact of their disorder on their education, employment, or interpersonal relationships. Psychoanalytic approaches are not useful in treating IED.

Proposition 13: Intermittent Explosive Disorder can be cured thru medications. Many different types of drugs are used to help control intermittent explosive disorder, including: Anti-anxiety agents in the benzodiazepine family, such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax). Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), gabapentin (Neurontin) and lamotrigine (Lamictal). Antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil). Mood regulators like lithium and propranolol (Inderal). These medications could help at least to calm the patient treat the patient. Proposition 14: Intermittent Explosive Disorder can be treated. Group counseling sessions, focused on rage management, also have proved helpful. Some people have found relaxation techniques useful in neutralizing anger. Treatment could involve medication or therapy including behavioral modification, with the best prognosis utilizing a combination of the two. Treatment with antidepressants, including those that target serotonin16 | P a g e

receptors in the brain, is often helpful, along with behavior therapy akin to anger management. If the patient appears to be a danger to him or others, he may be committed against his will for further treatment. Researchers found that although 88% of individuals with IED studied were upset by the results of their explosive outbursts, but only 13% had ever asked for treatment in dealing with it. Proposition 15: Intermittent Explosive Disorder has some complications. The violent behavior that's part of intermittent explosive disorder is not always directed at others. People with this condition are also at significantly increased risk of harming themselves, either with intentional injuries or suicide attempts. Those who are also addicted to drugs or had another serious mental disorder, such as depression, are at the greatest risk of harming themselves. People with intermittent explosive disorder are often perceived by others as always being angry. Other complications of intermittent explosive disorder may include job loss, school suspension, divorce, auto accidents or incarceration.

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Chapter 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Summary As we all know Intermittent Explosive Disorder is the inability to control violent impulses but it is critical to distinguish this from bouts of bad temper and/or bad behavior by excluding innumerable other possible causes. Indeed, many researchers and clinicians are reluctant to accept this disorder as a separate entity, given that anger and aggression are extremely common in a wide range of psychiatric conditions. Loose application of the term suggests that the disorder is more prevalent than it may be. In the majority of cases where impulsive outbursts of aggression take place, there is also another diagnosis under the DSM-IVTR to which it may be attributed. In fact, under the official criteria, the episode of aggression must be attributed to the other disorder present in the first instance. Strictly defined, Intermittent Explosive Disorder is quite rare. In fact, in reviewing over 800 possible cases in the preparation of DSM IV, only 17 likely cases were identified (Bradford, et al. 1994). As you know, Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) is now classified in DSM-IV among the "Impulse Control Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified". This has remained essentially unchanged since DSM-III, which was published in 1980. Prior to that--in DSM-II--the nearest thing to IED was so-called Explosive Personality, which was regarded as a personality disorder. In DSM-III, and ever since, it was recognized that some individuals have bouts of explosive behavior that are NOT part of their underlying character structure, and, indeed, are experienced as ego-alien or ego-dystonic. But, when you describe it as a bonafide mental illness, you may be going a bit further than our understanding permits.18 | P a g e

In all likelihood, IED is a heterogeneous collection of pathophysiological and psychological conditions, rather than a single illness--that is, IED may really be a syndrome that represents the final common pathway for several etiologies. A good historical review from the 1980s is provided by Monopolis et al (Am J Psychiatry 1983;140:1200-1202). A more recent review is provided by McElroy et al in the March 1992 American Journal of Psychiatry, and in the April 1998 Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (also McElroy et al). In the latter article, the authors found evidence that IED may be part of the affective spectrum of disorders, and might even reflect an atypical form of bipolar disorder. But, there are most likely patients who have been given the diagnosis of IED whose condition actually reflects a sub-ictal epileptiform disorder, impulse-ridden character disorders, etc. At the very least, these should be in the differential diagnosis of IED. B. Recommendations After a careful study on Intermittent Explosive Disorder, the proponent recommends the following: 1. Doctors should focus on the patients with Impulse Disorders for they may hurt other people once they go to an outrage. 2. Researchers should discover more treatments for Intermittent Explosive Disorder. 3. Researchers should hold more studies about Intermittent Explosive Disorder.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY Books: Aboujaoude, Elias and Lorrin Koran (2010) .Impulse Control Disorders. New York: Cambridge University Press Baumeister, Roy F., PhD. (1999) .Evil: Inside Human Violence and Cruelty. New York: W. H. Freeman and Company. Beck, Aaron T., M.D. (1999) .Prisoners of Hate: The Cognitive Basis of Anger, Hostility, and Violence. New York: HarperCollins. Durand, Vincent and David Barlow (2005) .Essentials of Abnormal Psychology. Belmont: Thomson Learning Inc. First, Michael et. al. (2004) .DSM-TV-TR Guidebook. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing. First, Michael and Allan Tasman (2007) .Clinical Guide to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders. UK: John Wiley & Sons. Tasman, Allan, et.al. (1997) .Psychiatry 1st edition. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company. Websites: For Appendix: http://www.mayhem.net/Crime/intermittent.html

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APPENDIX List of some crimes on people with Intermittent Explosive Disorder November 8, 2005 - A 15-year-old boy went to his school in Jacksboro, Tennessee, carrying a .22-caliber handgun and fired at three adults, killing an assistant principal and wounding two other school officials. District Attorney Paul Phillips asked a juvenile court judge from outside Campbell County, where the shooting occurred, to rule on whether the case should be transferred to circuit court and the juvenile be tried as an adult. Principal Gary Seale was shot in the abdomen while trying to wrestle the gun from the student and Assistant Principal Jim Pierce was hit in the chest, authorities said. Both were in serious condition in intensive care at University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, spokeswoman Lisa McNeal said. No students were hurt in the shooting at Campbell County Comprehensive High School. The administrators and a teacher helped disarm the student, deputies said. Assistant Principal Ken Bruce was shot in the chest and died at a LaFollette hospital, authorities said. Despite his injury, Seale managed to get to the intercom and order a lockdown, helping to end the rampage, authorities said. The suspect was taken to a juvenile detention facility, Sheriff Ron McClellan said. Authorities said he was grazed on the hand by a bullet from his handgun while he was being subdued. The boy's family declined to comment. "He has been in trouble before, but I just wouldn't expect something like this out of him," said classmate Courtney Ward, 17. "He is a big jokester. He is rowdy. But I just couldn't see him doing this." The shooting marked the second time this year that a school employee was fatally shot. Stewart County school bus driver Joyce Gregory, 47, was killed as21 | P a g e

she stopped to pick up a student on her route on March 1. Jason Clinard, 15, is charged with her slaying and will be tried as an adult. In August, a boy was accidentally shot in the leg in a middle school restroom in Jefferson County. The investigation led to charges against two students accused in a plot to kill a teacher at Maury Middle School. On January 29, 1979, 16-year-old Brenda Spencer killed two people and wounded nine when she fired from her house across the street onto the entrance of San Diego's Grover Cleveland Elementary School with a .22-caliber rifle her father gave her for Christmas. The two victims were Principal Burton Wragg and custodian Mike Suchar were killed. Eight students and a police officer were wounded. Spencer, the original school rampager, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to two 25 years to life in prison. When asked why she did it, she said the often quoted: "I just don't like Mondays." At the time she also told negotiators, "It was a lot of fun seeing children shot." Brenda -- who suffers from epilepsy and depression -- said at a parole hearing in April 2001 that she felt responsible for the many school shootings that have followed her 1979 sniper attack. "I know saying I'm sorry doesn't make it all right," she said, adding that she wished it had never happened. But she added, "With every school shooting, I feel I'm partially responsible. What if they got their idea from what I did?" Spencer claimed her violence grew out of an abusive home life in which her father beat and sexually abused her for years. "I've never talked about it before," she said. "I had to share my dad's bed 'til I was 14 years old." Her father, Wallace Spencer, has never spoken publicly about the case. Brenda, now 36, told the parole board the rifle was a Christmas present from her father. "I had asked for a radio and he bought me a gun," she said. Asked if she knew why he did that, she said, "I felt like he wanted me to kill myself." She also said she thought she had

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shot at the school in the hope that police would kill her at the end of the siege. "I had failed in every other suicide attempt. I thought if I shot at the cops they would shoot me," she said. San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Richard Sachs, who prosecuted Spencer, said her crime remains "unthinkable" and he posed his own theory of why she did it. "She probably was and still is a miserable person through and through," Sachs said. "But her way of dealing with the misery was to spread it around." Sachs noted that after the recent breakup of a relationship between Spencer and another woman in prison, she heated a paper clip and used it to carve onto her chest the words "courage" and "pride." Spencer said it was just a tattoo, but Sachs said it showed an inability to deal with stress and an inclination to act out anger. On September 2, 1996, Barry Loukaitis, a 14-year-old honor student in Moses Lake, Washington, broke into algebra class wearing a long duster concealing two pistols, seventy-eight rounds of ammunition and high-powered rifle under it. His first shot 14-year-old Manuel Vela. Another classmate to a bullet to his chest, and then Loukaitis shot his teacher in the back as she was writing a problem on the blackboard. A 13-year-old girl took the fourth bullet in her arm. Two of the students and the teacher died. The third student was left hospitalized in serious condition shot in the abdomen and right arm. Then Loukaitis took hostages, allowing the wounded to be removed, but was stymied by Jon Lane, a physical education teacher and champion wrestler, who burst into the classroom, disarmed the boy and held him until police arrived. It seems that Barry and Manuel Vela, were always exchanging words. "I guess he finally got sick of it," said fellow-student Walter Darden. Loukaitis blamed his act on "mood swings." A classmate claimed that Loukaitis had thought it would be "fun" to go on a killing spree. During his trial JoAnn Phillips, Barry's mother, told the jury her son was driven to massacre his classmates by the Pearl Jam song, "Jeremy." The song portrays a23 | P a g e

maligned teenager who takes out his angst on his classmates by shooting them. The video shows the boy massacring his classmates while Eddie Vedder sings "Jeremy spoke in class today." Not laying the blame squarely on Eddie and the band, Phillips also conceded that her family had a history of depressive illness, which stretched back for four generations. Terry Loukaitis, the Barry's father, said he was burdened with three generations' worth of depressive illnesses in his family. JoAnn also told the jury that she treated her son as a confidant and told him everything, including plans to kill herself in front of her ex-husband and his new girlfriend on Valentine's Day, 1996. She said her son tried to encourage her not to do it and to channel her energies into writing about it. In court, John Petrich, a psychiatrist for the defense, testified that Barry experienced delusional, godlike feelings before his deadly rampage. "He felt like God and would laugh to himself... He felt he was superior to other kids . . . and then (his feelings of superiority) were replaced" by hate, disdain and a sense of not measuring up...He was under the influence of his psychosis and it was distorting his thinking, twisting his thinking," and was unable to determine right from wrong at the time of the killings. Petrich attributed Loukaitis' feeling of not belonging to his relationship with his parents, specifically, his mother's influence. "He was deprived of the opportunity to identify with his father... His mother dominated him . . . His identity was so much linked to his mother's (identity which) was on the ragged edge" and filled with suicidal thoughts. Prosecutors said Loukaitis planned the shootings carefully, getting ideas from the book "Rage," written by King under a pseudonym, and the movie "Natural Born Killers." In the book, a high school student takes a gun to school and fatally shoots two teachers. In a tape-recorded confession to police the day of the attack, the boy said that after he shot Vela, the "reflex took over."

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On September 24, 1997, Barry -- now 16 -- was convicted on all charges. Some victims' relatives wept. Others hugged. "Either verdict would have been a tragedy," said Alice Fritz, mother of victim Arnold Fritz. "There's no happy ending here."

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