Episodic dyscontrol and family dynamics.

The author describes characteristics of patients, primarily adolescents, who suffer from episodic violent behavior and their relations with their families. Typical family patterns include overly close alliances by the adolescent with one or both parents and transmission by parents of inconsistent values regarding aggression. Family therapy is the preferred treatment approach; treatment should be active, should initially focus on ways of handling dyscontrol episodes, and should emphasize that the patient is responsible for his or her actions.