According to the DSM-V, the manual medical professionals use to diagnose mental health conditions, an individual with an impulse control disorder (ICD) is unable to “resist an impulse, temptation, or drive to perform an act that is harmful to the person or others.” (1)
These impulse-related behaviors can hinder daily life and make it difficult to comply with the law, perform well at work or school, and maintain relationships.
Examples of impulse control disorders include:
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Genetic, developmental, environmental, and neurological factors can all potentially contribute to the development of an ICD.
According to some researchers, there's a possible link between parents with certain disorders and children being diagnosed with an ICD, but it's unclear whether genes and brain chemistry or a stressful home life are more influential. Studies show that children with conduct disorder are more likely to have caregivers with a substance use disorder, antisocial personality disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or schizophrenia. Often, guardians of kids with ODD have a mood disorder. (3)
Other risk factors include:
Updates to diagnostic criteria between the DSM IV and DSM V saw some disorders reclassified from ICDs into other categories because they have different causes, symptoms, and risk factors. Those reclassified disorders include: (1) (5)
The primary symptoms of impulse control disorders differ from type to type: (6)
Conduct disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder
Intermittent explosive disorder
Pyromania
Kleptomania
Impulsive behavior isn't always disordered. Having difficulty resisting tempting urges now and then is natural. However, when a chronic lack of impulse control leads to legal issues or financial difficulties, or it prevents someone from having meaningful relationships, there could be an underlying disorder.
Impulsivity can be a symptom of a number of other mental health conditions. Cluster B personality disorders, psychosis, substance use disorders, mania, and ADHD are a few examples. To determine whether someone has an ICD, a different mental illness, or nonclinical levels of impulsivity, they should seek advice from a medical professional. A doctor will use a range of tools to provide a diagnosis.
Impulse control disorder treatment is understudied, despite a relatively high percentage of the population meeting the criteria. There are no FDA drugs specifically indicated for treating ICDs, but some medications have shown promise for off-label use (prescribing the medications for purposes other than initially intended), including:
ICD is regularly diagnosed in both children and adults, and advice for coping techniques tends to differ depending on the age group affected.
If a child displays impulsive behavior, it's important for the caregiver to seek guidance from their doctor. For parents who are in the process of getting a diagnosis, the following tips can help a child cope: (7)
Adults with ICD might feel embarrassed and/or defensive about their behavior, which can make seeking help feel uncomfortable. However, these are symptoms of a treatable disorder. Professional guidance can minimize symptoms and significantly improve quality of life.
The shame someone experiences after acting out an impulsive behavior might contribute to the development of other mental illnesses. Depression and anxiety are particularly common in people who are prone to shame, and clinicians frequently see both disorders alongside an ICD. (8) Be sure to speak openly and honestly to a doctor about every symptom to enable adequate treatment for all underlying conditions.
Friends and family can help someone with an impulse control disorder by maintaining a calm and supportive demeanor, even when it's challenging. Not taking deceptive or aggressive behavior personally is another top tip for harm limitation.
That said, it can be difficult to show grace and love in the face of adversity, so loved ones shouldn't be hard on themselves if they get frustrated from time to time. Joining a support group for family members and freely expressing challenging emotions from a safe distance can help with the processing of any challenging emotions. (9)
Learn about the specific disorder for a better understanding of why a person with an ICD might act in undesirable ways. Encourage them to learn about their condition, seek treatment, and find a support group.
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