Impulse control disorder is a medical condition that has to do with the inability to manage predilections to act on the sudden desire to engage in actions that may cause harm to self or to others. The disorder is usually defined to focus on actions that are not premeditated in any manner, but occur spontaneously and are carried out without any thought of the consequences of those actions. There are several indicators or symptoms of impulse control disorder that can signal the presence of this type of psychiatric disorder, including verbal and visual clues.
One of the more common symptoms of impulse control disorder is an apparent obsession with some sort of dangerous or potential harmful behavior. This may include examples such as a marked fascination with the idea of cutting as a means of inflicting personal injury, or being attracted to playing with matches or fire in some other form. Engaging in shoplifting on the spur of the moment is another example of a behavior that is often kept secret, at least for a time. These solitary practices may be hard to detect at first, but as the condition progresses, sufferers are usually less careful about hiding these types of practices from others, even as the frequency of engaging in such acts increases.
Another of the more recognizable symptoms of impulse control disorder focuses on spontaneously placing both self and others in a potentially dangerous situation. This may include sudden aggressive behavior while driving a vehicle in traffic, or even choosing to engage in unprotected sexual activity with a stranger that an individual has just met. With this type of behavior pattern, what may appear at first to be isolated instances begin to recur on a regular basis, usually as a spur of the moment decision.
Other signs or symptoms of impulse control disorder involve sudden violent acts, such as suddenly striking another individual with no apparent provocation. Verbal assaults on others that seem to come out of nowhere may also be a sign that someone is experiencing a mental disorder that is inhibiting the ability to think through options before taking some sort of action. In general, any type of violent behavior that seems to occur without any type of triggering event or sequence of events, or even violence that seems to be out of proportion with those events, may be a sign of impulse control disorder.
Fortunately, there are ways to identify these and other symptoms of impulse control disorder and help the patient regain emotional and mental equilibrium. Various types of therapy, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) are often helpful in regaining the ability to control counterproductive impulses. In addition, medication may be used to help regulate mood swings or any anxiety that may be a part of the patient’s situation, helping to minimize the negative actions. As with any type of psychiatric or mental disorder, a diagnosis from a trained medical professional and a treatment regimen that is structured to meet the needs of the patient are essential when it comes to effectively managing this type of mental illness.
