Spotting symptoms of an impulse control disorder

Acting impulsively from time to time isn’t cause for alarm. It’s normal to occasionally splurge on a fun expense or skip work to play hooky. But if you notice you or a loved one regularly behaves impulsively and has trouble stopping, it’s worth learning the symptoms of impulse control disorders (ICDs). 

ICDs are mental health conditions that make it hard or impossible for people to control spontaneous behavior despite negative consequences that usually follow. For example, you may gamble uncontrollably and fall into deep debt. 

More than 10% of people in the U.S. have an ICD. With the help of a support network, it’s possible to overcome this debilitating behavior. 

Signs and symptoms of an impulse control disorder

Impulse control disorders can manifest differently. Some ICDs include kleptomania, an irresistible urge to steal things of little or no value, or pyromania, an intense urge to start fires. But they all significantly affect the ability of someone to control their impulses. 

Common symptoms and signs of impulse control disorders include:  

• Frequent and intense temptations to behave in certain ways, like stealing 
• Extreme difficulty or an inability to avoid acting on urges 
• Feeling relief or catharsis after the behavior is completed
• Feeling guilty or agitated about the behavior’s impact 
• Acting on behaviors that hurts themselves, other people, and violates social norms and laws
• Considerable disruption on a person’s daily life and their relationships 

Typically, impulse control disorders show up in childhood or adolescence. But they can continue into adulthood — especially without treatment. 

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is an ICD that typically starts in childhood, around the preschool years. But adults can develop ODD as well. 

ODD is characterized by a frequent and consistent pattern of uncooperative, angry, and sometimes hostile behavior directed at those in charge, like authority figures. It can also extend to a child seeking revenge against someone. 

ODD can lead to another ICD called conduct disorder (CD). Children with CD often act in a disruptive and aggressive manner. They can violate social norms and hurt others. It can be diagnosed in childhood but usually emerges during adolescence.

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Can impulse control disorder symptoms overlap with other conditions?

Other mental health conditions can be characterized by impulsive behavior too, like bipolar disorder. One study showed a high co-occurrence between ICDs and bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder can experience a rollercoaster ride of emotional highs and lows. They can also act impulsively. 

For example, someone with bipolar disorder might decide to get a tattoo on the spur of the moment, or quit their job without thinking it through. Often, this sort of impulsive behavior happens during manic episodes, which are periods of elevated mood, irritability, heightened energy, and intense euphoria. 

People with depressive disorders, like major depressive disorder, can also experience impulsiveness as a symptom. Impulsivity can be a core feature of suicidality for people who experience depression.* 

Impulsive behavior can also show up with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For example, some research shows that people with PTSD are at a higher risk of engaging in impulsive behavior like substance use, compulsive sexual behavior, self-injury not to do with suicide, and disordered eating behaviors. 

*If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself, don’t hesitate to ask for help. You can contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 from any phone. Its counselors will provide confidential support and resources to help keep you safe.

How can impulse control disorders affect daily life?

It’s not hard to imagine how uncontrolled impulses can have a severe negative effect on someone’s life. These behaviors are disruptive because they cause a person to act on urges without thinking of the consequences. Unfortunately, the consequences can lead to various challenges. 

Some consequences of ICDs may include:

• Inability to function in everyday life
• Strain and damage to personal and professional relationships
• Financial difficulty or ruin
• Legal trouble 
• Harm to self or others 
• Difficulty with focus, meeting deadlines, and managing time
• Inability to parent successfully 

But you don’t have to let impulse control disorder rule you. Recovery is possible with the right therapy and treatment. 

Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can lessen behavior spurred by ICDs. With CBT, a therapist helps you identify your negative or distorted thought patterns, slow down your thinking, and understand what triggers your impulsive behavior. 

Antidepressants can also be used in combination to help you resist urges. It’s always best to talk with a qualified healthcare provider so you can decide if medication is the right choice for you.

Find care with Rula

Living with an impulse control disorder can be challenging. However, you can manage this mental health condition with professional help. 

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 10,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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