Everybody can be impulsive at times, but some people have more impulse control issues than others. It’s difficult for these individuals to control their wants and desires. People who have substance abuse issues, for example, struggle with impulse control problems. Their impulses tell them to abuse alcohol or drugs. They cannot seem to stop doing so. People with shopping addictions also struggle with impulse control problems. A person with pyromania has extreme difficulties with impulse control; they impulsively start fires. Here is how an impulse control disorder affects a person’s life.
What are impulses?
Impulses are urges to engage in particular behaviors. The person’s need to take action is so intense that it feels unavoidable. A good example of an impulse is somebody telling a funny joke, and your impulse is to laugh. That is a benign example of impulsivity. However, impulsive behavior can get a person in serious trouble. Some people are good at controlling their impulses, and others struggle to manage them. When you have difficulty managing your urges, it can be disastrous.
Impulse control issues
Some individuals struggle with impulse control. As mentioned above, substance abuse is an example of an impulse control disorder. A person wants to stop abusing drugs and alcohol but can’t seem to do that. Another example of having an impulse control issue is people that struggle with anger management problems. Their impulse is to scream, yell or break things. Untreated anger problems can lead to dangerous consequences. It could be a difficult situation for an individual. If they cannot control their impulse to act out aggressively, they could hurt themselves or others. Impulse control issues can result in self-destructive behaviors.
Impulse control disorders
There are particular mental health conditions that are classified as ICD (Impulse control disorders). However, other mental health conditions impact a person’s impulsivity that is not listed here. You can read more about impulse control disorder at BetterHelp. The DSM recognizes the following as impulse control disorders:
Kleptomania: Kleptomania is characterized by compulsive stealing. Often a kleptomaniac will take things they do not need. They cannot resist the urge to steal.
Trichotillomania: This condition is characterized by a person compulsively pulling out their hair.
IED (Intermittent Explosive Disorder): An individual with IED has difficulty controlling their anger. They act impulsively with regard to their temper. They become can rageful in response to mine or events that trigger them.
Pyromania – A pyromaniac is an individual who impulsively sets fires. They cannot seem to resist the urge to light things ablaze.
These impulse control disorders can be extremely dangerous and result in difficulties with the law and physical harm to the person and others.
Other behaviors have been suggested as impulse control disorders such as pathological skin-picking or compulsive shopping. These are issues surrounding impulse control. Other mental health conditions have impulse control problems but aren’t ICDs.
Other mental health conditions that impact impulsivity
ADHD: Individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have difficulty with impulse control. They struggle with interrupting others and may impulsively spend money. They also might blurt out things without thinking first.
Bipolar Disorder: Individuals with Bipolar Disorder struggle with impulse control issues. They may engage in compulsive sexual behavior when in a manic episode. They could spend massive amounts of money when they are manic as well. Sometimes people with Bipolar Disorder have issues surrounding anger. They could impulsively say or do something they don’t mean when angry. Mania can be a dangerous condition if a person acts based on their impulses.
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder): Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by obsessions and compulsive actions. A person who has compulsions feels an intense urge to perform a behavior based on anxiety or fear. For example, somebody might be afraid that they haven’t turned off the stove. They keep making sure that the stove is off. No matter how hard they try, a person with OCD has difficulty controlling impulses. It’s excruciating to stop oneself from engaging in a compulsion. With therapy, this person can learn to manage compulsive behavior. But inherently, a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder may have difficulty with impulse control.
Managing impulse control disorders
A person with an impulse control disorder needs to seek mental health treatment. Therapy is a great place for people to talk about their issues with impulse control and learn coping strategies. A mental health provider helps clients identify their impulses and why they’re having trouble controlling them. If you are suffering from an impulse control disorder, it’s not your fault. However, it’s crucial to seek help from a mental health provider to better manage these issues. You don’t want to hurt yourself or someone else because you cannot control your impulses. Your mental health is vital, and one of the best ways to take care of it is to seek counseling. Be brave and reach out for help.
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