Impulse Control Disorders

Many psychological problems are characterized by a loss of control or a lack of control in specific situations. Usually, this lack of control is part of a pattern of behavior such as substance abuse problems which impairs the person’s ability to recognize the consequences of their actions. When loss of control is only an element of a disorder, it usually does not have to be a part of the behavior pattern, and other symptoms must also be present.

There are several psychological disorders that are classified primarily by loss of control. These impulse control problems are: Intermittent Explosive Disorder; Domestic Violence; Kleptomania; Pyromania; Pathological Gambling; Trichotillomania

Episodes of aggressive outbursts in which the results are either destruction of property or physical assaults on others are called Intermittent Explosive Disorder. This problem results in legal problems usually because the individual is often charged with assault, or a domestic violence charge. 

Loss of control is a characteristic of this disorder. The person, usually male, has had several incidents of losing control of anger, resulting in aggressive acting out, assaulting others, or destroying property. The aggression is out of proportion to any factors that might be present, such as an argument. These individuals will not take responsibility for their loss of control; they blame the victim, circumstances in their life, or something that may have been told to them.

Behavioral and cognitive therapies are used in this type of control problem. Anger management techniques and discovering ways to redirect the anger so that it can be controlled are employed.  

Domestic violence is also a form of Intermittent Explosive Disorder, because often these individuals only lose control within a close interpersonal relationship. Many of these people have a generalized anger management problem, but control it better outside their own home.  In those situations there is usually a substance abuse problem. Intoxication can also be a form of not accepting blame. The person may become intoxicated prior to a confrontation. It may be because of an inability to confront others.  The intoxication gives the person an excuse for loss of control.

Although the exact causes of impulse control disorders are unknown, it’s believed that the development of these problems is both biological and social have some bearing in the development of these disorders. For people with pathological gambling and intermittent explosive disorder, defects have been found in the way the brain processes chemicals,  Other research show that some impulse control problems might be at least partly explained by genetic factors that can be inherited. Disruptive and violent childhood experiences can also be linked to the development of some of these problems. Some believe that Trichotillomania may be a learned behavior.

The research on treatments for impulse control disorders is usually the use of cognitive behavioral therapy and medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help a person learn to relax, cope with stress, dispel negative thoughts, and prevent damaging behaviors.  There is little research to provide what treatments are best for pyromania, some treatments which has helped children stop setting fires is getting them to keep a chart of the association between their feelings, stress levels, and actions