Impulse Control Disorders
Impulse Control Disorders
A largely ignored, cast-aside family of disorders that are faced quite commonly by people worldwide are Impulse Control Disorders, disorders that go largely underrepresented, even on mental health platforms such as this. People with these forms of disorders can feel alienated when people unaware come into contact with them. There is a significant amount of shame surrounding this subject, awareness is rarely spread, and not much work has put into preventing the stigma these people face. So, to prevent further harm to those in the community who suffer from said disorders, please read on to find out more about impulse control disorders.
What are Impulse Control Disorders?
Have you ever had an itch in public that you werent allowed to scratch? The sensation and tension of that itch built up over time and created stress until you seemingly couldnt take it anymore. When you finally itch that scratch, there is a euphoric relief that takes place.
This is basically how an impulse control disorder feels.
It is an urge to engage in an unusual behavior, an immense impulse so strong that most people who live with one of these disorders become unaware of how often they do it subconsciously or cannot get through the day without giving in- similar to a compulsion a person with OCD wants to maintain.
5 Stages of Behavior
1. Impulse - the urge emerges
2. Stress - the tension builds as time goes on
3. Happiness - giving into the compulsion
4. Relief - tension is alleviated
5. Guilt - shame that giving in took place, tension begins again
Types of Impulse Control Disorders
- Intermittent Explosive
Sudden, regularly occurring, aggressive outbursts that can involve impulsive, violent, or angry behavior (domestic abuse, road rage, temper tantrums, etc.) These outbursts get in the way of regular life, tearing apart relationships, work opportunities, and yield significant consequences. These episodes usually occur with little to no warning and last upwards of 30 minutes in total.
- Kleptomania
Stealing continuously, uncontrollably, and repetitively, even when the object is not of value or use to the person. This can affect children from age 4 up to people who have reached adulthood and can get the person in serious legal and financial trouble if it is not addressed and treated. Kleptomaniacs experience mass amounts of guilt in most cases for what they have done and attempt to return items they have hoarded at home. This oftentimes leads to arrests.
- Pyromania
Purposeful fire-starting in order to achieve relief, gratification of an emotional or sexual nature, and a deep-seeded interest in fires in general. The pyromaniac is not an arsonist who may do it in fits of rebellion or for a gain of some kind- the act of setting the fires is simply an impulse they must fulfill to get relief. Pyromaniacs are very likely to also be suffering from depression.
- Trichotillomania
Involves the intentional pulling of hair in a repetitive fashion, resulting in an observable amount of hair loss. The hair loss usually results in social anxiety as they are ashamed of their appearance. This distress can also get in the way of relationships with others, work, and group outings. This is one of the most common impulse control disorders.
- Pathological Gambling
Gambling at a constant rate that regularly puts the person at risk. It becomes like an addiction of sorts and usually ends up tearing apart the persons relationships and finances. It commonly leads to divorce and bankruptcy. It is most prevalent in younger men primarily, but women who hold this disorder begin acting destructively faster. They are also likely to get into legal trouble because they will go much farther than the confines of the law in order to fund the gambling. Suicide attempts are very common among carriers.
- Skin Picking
Tissue is damaged as a result of picking skin off on a regular basis. Picking skin usually takes places for several hours each day and commonly occurs on the face, but is also commonly done to other sections of the body (chest, legs, hands, neck, etc). This creates scars and sometimes infections. People who pick their skin usually feel extremely scared and ashamed in social situations, truly repulsed by the way they look.
- Compulsive Sexual Behavior
Sexual impulses that take over a persons way of life, result in sexually deviant behavior, and become unable to be controlled. This one is extremely common compared to these other disorders and can result in the person getting into legal trouble. Pornography, fetishism, and using sex as a way to get through the day are common traits of this disorder. It can get them into financial trouble if they are hiring people to have sex with or purchasing lots of pornography. It can also be detrimental to their social life as others may see them as corrupt, gross, and dangerous which can sometimes cost them their job or end relationships that were once important to them.
- Compulsive Shopping
Though it isnt recognized officially as a disorder, it is technically seen as a type of impulse control issue. This is when a person constantly shops, usually making regrettable purchases that are not necessary or affordable. There is a certain relief it brings which turns into shame as the buyer realizes what they have done. Most of the items bought are returned or unused and leave the person in debt. The amount of shopping usually ends up hurting relationships as they may be using a partners money to buy things and financial troubles when too much money is spent.
What causes these disorders?
It may be caused by genetics, being raised around abuse or violence, and unbalanced serotonin levels. If the person has a family history of these disorders, is a trauma survivor, is young, or is male, they have a higher chance of having one of these disorders as well. It may also coexist with prior mental conditions that aggravate these disorders like depression, GAD, and OCD.
How to help someone with an Impulse Control Disorder
Once you are aware that someone has one of these disorders, make sure to support them emotionally through this challenging time. Be sure to remain non-judgemental no matter how crazy the problem may seem. Show them that you care through conversation, acknowledgment of their sorrow, and checking up on them regularly.
Try to encourage this person to talk to engage in psychotherapy which will provide them ways to cope with their impulses. The most successful types of behavioral management may be habit reversal- a therapy which involves the person replacing their current impulse with a less harmful one, suggesting they see a psychiatrist to get medication that rectifies chemical imbalances that may be influencing their behavior, and placing said person in an impulse control facility so as to rehabilitate a person who is extremely out of control and needs to be surveilled and trained to function in society correctly again.
Even giving their doctor a note or article about these disorders could be a great first step if the person is scared or unsure of how to start getting treatment. Support groups are also available online and locally if finances are an issue.
Having read this and gone over the specific types, causes, and treatment options for these disorders, lets hold a discussion below!
Questions to answer in the discussion below:
1. What are your insights on this issue?
2. Do you, or anyone you know, have experience with these disorders?
3. What coping mechanisms have you developed to combat urges?
4. How can you support those around you who are suffering from this?
5. What factors likely played a role in the development of this disorder for you or a loved one?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this! I hope you learned something new!
Resources for tips and further information:
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Useful Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHPtDhvPTlw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH46Nm1QOcg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrnTKTqF96Q
References:
Grant, John E., Brian L. Odlaug, and Suck Won Kim. "Impulse Control Disorders: Clinical Characteristics and Pharmacological Management." Psychiatric Times. N.p., 02 June 2013. Web. 13 Jan. 2018.
Jones, Dylan. "Impulse Control Disorders." YouTube. YouTube, 20 Jan. 2013. Web. 13 Jan. 2018.
"Impulse Control Disorders and Treatment Options." Luxury.Rehabs.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2018.
"Impulse Control Disorder Symptoms & Signs." Rolling Hills Hospital. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2018.
This was an amazing post. I did not have an in-depth knowledge of what ICD was. Your project was really helpful in making me see what it was and raising awareness about it. Time to watch out for people exhibiting such symptoms and actually supporting them as you so kindly pointed out :)
Best of luck with your project and in your future endeavours :)
I am a current trichotillomaniac, which translates to me compulsively pulling out my hair. Its something that I have gotten extremely better at managaing, but usually comes about when Im bored or stressed. Sometimes I dont even realize that Im doing it, other times Im fully aware. It sucks, to be blunt. But I have grown with it.
although it may be hard to perform such discussion while maintaining privacy...
The feminine thing to do would be accepted it as if that's someone you would cherish, potentially marry, not reject without a will to defend such...
Erasing shame.
"I have no shame, for I am only myself"
I know that acknowledging a profound moment can easily be uh motivated to a desirable workable threshold by muted awe, or otherwise to self, where choice is let to occur, and such practice may or may not gatekeep the actions...
@hardworkingSummer5348
I think they mean shame in the sense of the behavior and results can be seen. Since it's not normalized acceptable behavior, being rather self-destructive, even with self-acceptance, society-at-large still stigmatizes this behavior as "abnormal " as opposed to a being a behavioral "condition" that is treatable or manageable or even as just an addiction and conditioned habit, like smoking. Therefore, many sufferers hide this OCD tic. I avoided the skin doctor like the plague for many years myself for a similar reason.
@halfcup
I wish I could edit that post! It needs friggen periods! Lol. But the need to edit it is not my OCD but the English teacher in me.
Now, as for coping with shame, I did eventually go to a dermatologist. When it comes to shame, I'll tell you the same thing I use, and the statement I tell my students who are chagrined when I make a spelling or grammar mistake: I am not my job; I'm a human being. The same applies psychologically: I am not my disease; I'm human.
I finally found the link to the paper! Nicely done! You'd get an A from am old salt like me.
@halfcup "an" old salt. 
I just cant
Amazing post.
Great post @keara423. Very informative!