Impulse Control Disorders: Don't let your impulses run you!

Have you been shopping a lot unnecessarily? (I know a lot of girls will be in trouble reading this) Well, a little overdoing shopping is acceptable but if you find this urge to buy everything you see or hoard things you like even if you don't need it! Then, there is a problem, my friend!

Acting on impulses can often mean you have an impulse control issue. But it doesn't necessarily mean that. Hence, it's okay to have healthy impulses! But, you might have an impulse control disorder if you know there are negative consequences to your actions, but you do them anyway. ICD is when you cannot resist an impulse or temptation that they knew was not in your best interest—for instance, spending too much money on alcohol.

Impulse control disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by a person's inability to resist impulses and a lack of self-control, leading to consequences of destructive or self-destructive behaviors.

People with Impulse Control Disorders often engage in repetitive behaviors that are harmful to themselves or others. Examples of these behaviors include excessive gambling, drug use, binge eating, addictive shopping, compulsive sexual activity, and compulsive stealing. People with this disorder can't control their urges, and they try to relieve these urges by performing the behavior again and again. Impulse Control Disorders usually start early in life and can be brought on by traumatic experiences such as abuse or neglectful parenting.

Types of ICD's:

There are several different types of Impulse Control Disorders. Let's look into them the most common types of ICD's briefly:

1. Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is defined as recurrent, brief outbursts of temper that are disproportionate to the stimulus given.
2. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): It is defined as difficulty focusing, paying attention, organizing tasks, or forgetting things.
3. Pathological gambling: This means persistent involvement in gambling despite harmful negative consequences.
4. Kleptomania: involves strong urges to steal items that are not needed or wanted.
5. Pathological gambling: involves making risky decisions with the hope of gaining something for oneself.
6. Pyromania: Pyromania is an impulse control disorder characterized by intense desires to start fires. The individual has intense urges to set things on fire for several reasons, such as gaining power or seeking pleasure.
7. Trichotillomania: Trichotillomania is a disorder in which a person has an uncontrollable urge to pull out their hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, or other body hair. The person may not even be aware that they are doing it.

Treatment of Impulse-control disorder (ICD)-

The impulse control disorders treatment largely depends on the severity of the symptoms and other comorbid conditions present. The therapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, or both.

We should not think that this type of solution has to be only for those people who suffer from impulse control disorders like gambling addiction. It can also be used as a tool for those children who are having trouble controlling their desires and desires, such as sweets and chocolates, etc.

Solution for Impulse control disorder-

• Going for psychotherapy or stress management techniques.
• A solution for impulse control disorder can be found in pharmaceuticals—for example, anti-impulse medication like Vanoxerine, which is specifically designed for treating ICD.
• There are some other solutions available such as meditation and mindfulness.
• Drugs such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed for impulse control disorders.

One of the ways to deal with impulse control disorder is to avoid the situations that may trigger an impulse. Another way is to manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques. The last way, and one of the most effective, would be medication. It's time to rest easy. So, choose your way out of this disorder and Conquer your Impulse Control Disorders. It's never too late! Remember- Better late than never.