Impulse-control disorder

Impulse-control disorder is a class of psychiatric disorders characterized by impulsivity – failure to resist a temptation, urge, or impulse that may harm oneself or others. Many psychiatric disorders feature impulsivity, including substance-related disorders, behavioral addictions, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, conduct disorder, and some mood disorders.

Types

Impulse-control disorders can include pathological gambling, kleptomania, trichotillomania, intermittent explosive disorder, and pyromania. These are often used as a way of coping with stress or anxiety, or even to simply feel alive.

Pathological gambling

Pathological gambling is having a constant urge to keep gambling despite the negative effects it may have on your life. This can lead to severe personal and or social consequences.

Kleptomania

Kleptomania is the inability to refrain from the urge to steal items and is usually done for reasons other than personal use or financial gain.

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is when someone can't resist the urge to pull out their hair. They may pull out the hair on their head or in other places, such as their eyebrows or eyelashes.

Intermittent explosive disorder

Intermittent explosive disorder is characterized by explosive outbursts of anger and violence, often to the point of rage, that are disproportionate to the situation at hand.

Pyromania

Pyromania is an impulse control disorder in which individuals repeatedly fail to resist impulses to deliberately start fires, in order to relieve tension or for instant gratification.

Treatment

Treatment for impulse control disorders may involve therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or certain types of medications, depending on the specific type of impulse control disorder.

See also

• Psychiatry
• Mental health
• Mental disorder
• Personality disorder

Impulse-control disorder Resources
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