Impulse Control Disorders
Overview
Definition
Impulse control disorders (ICDs) are based on having extreme urges and failing to resist acting on them.
ICDs can involve:
- Gambling
- Stealing—kleptomania
- Pulling one’s hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes—trichotillomania
- Outbursts of physical or verbal rage—intermittent explosive disorder
- Setting fires—pyromania
- Sexual thoughts and acts
- Uncontrolled use of the Internet, which may serve as an outlet for other ICDs
ICDs have a harmful impact on daily life. They cause problems with school, work, and other people in your life. They often involve problems with money and the law.
Risk Factors
Most people with ICDs have other mental health problems such as bipolar disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder .
Your chances may also be higher for:
- Substance misuse—you or within your family
- Having other people in your family that have the same problems
- Having Tourette syndrome
- Having problems with how your family works such as fighting or abuse
- Using certain medicines that treat Parkinson disease
- Having late stage Parkinson disease
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
ICDs can start at any age. But, many start when you're a child or a teen. Symptoms are based on the ICD you have.
ICDs may cause:
- Injuries from fights or burns from starting fires
- Lying or stealing
- Compulsive or repetitive behaviors
- Irritability, impatience, or anger
- Problems with your family, partner, or spouse
- Repeated problems with other people in your life, school, or work
- Problems with money or the law, which may involve being arrested
People with ICDs tend to feel:
- Growing tension before the act
- Pleasure or eurphoria during the act
- Relief after the act—there may or may not be feelings of guilt or distress
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A psychological exam will be done. Some people may have burns or other injuries that can be seen. This makes diagnosing an ICD easier. For others, it can be made based on your pattern of behavior that doesn’t have a better explanation.
Treatments
Treatment
ICDs are treated with:
Medicines
One or more medicines may be needed. It may take some time to find the right ones. They are used to balance the chemicals in your brain. The most common are antidepressants, but others can be used.
Counseling
Therapy may be done alone or in a group. It will help you to cope with problems that contribute to ICD. It also helps you change how you react to urges.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—A form of talk therapy focusing on how to handle stressful situations. CBT helps you change how you think so you take control of your feelings.
- Family therapy—Helps other people in your family with support and coping skills.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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a (ICDs)
RESOURCES
American Psychiatric Association https://www.psychiatry.org
National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Mental Health Association https://cmha.ca
Canadian Psychiatric Association https://www.cpa-apc.org
References
Dell’Osso B, Altamura AC, Allen A, Marazziti D, Hollander E. Epidemiologic and Clinical updates on impulse control disorders: a critical review. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2006;256(8):464-475.
Ploskin D. What are impulse control disorders? Psych Central website. Available at: https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-are-impulse-control-disorders. Updated July 17, 2016. Accessed August 30, 2018.
Schreiber L, Odlaug BL, Grant JE. Impulse control disorders: updated review of clinical characteristics and pharmacological management. Front Psychiatry. 2011;2:1.