Impulse control disorders, often abbreviated as ICDs, are a group of behavioral health conditions that make it challenging to control one’s actions or reactions. A person who struggles with an ICD may have trouble restraining their emotions or behaviors. They also might find it difficult to resist temptation, which can lead to disruptive and destructive behavior.
White this might sound relatively cut and dry, any behavioral health practitioner will tell you that impulse control disorders have a wide range of signs and symptoms. Plus, there are a few different broad buckets that these disorders fall into.
Today, we will learn a little bit more about impulse control disorders. We will explore three common types of ICDs, discuss common signs and symptoms, and cover how you can support friends or loved ones who are experiencing these behavioral health disorders. Let’s dive in.
Breaking It Down: Impulse Control Disorder Types
While some practitioners break down impulse control disorders into as many as five different buckets, there are three overarching impulse control disorder types that we often see. The impulse control disorder symptoms associated with each of these types vary, but you will notice some common themes. So what are these three main impulse control disorder types?
#1: Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Most often seen in children, oppositional defiant disorder (or ODD) is associated with irritability, anger, and hostility toward authority figures such as parents or teachers as well as toward peers. Are you wondering, “Is ODD treatable?”
The good news is that ODD – as well as most other impulse control disorder types – is able to be addressed through impulse control therapy and other therapeutic tactics focused on supporting those struggling with impulsive disorders. At Triumph Behavioral Health, we are a Maryland wellness center with highly trained professionals who are ready to work closely with those experiencing the symptoms of ODD.
#2: Conduct disorder
Often abbreviated as CD, conduct disorder refers to persistent transgressions of laws, rules, and other people’s rights. Symptoms of this impulse control disorder might include frequent rule-breaking, outbursts, aggression against others, mistreatment of animals or children, substance abuse, criminal activity, pyromania, and other harmful actions.
While this behavioral health concern can be serious, there are impulse control disorder interventions that can help. These strategies include parent management training, or PMT, in which parents or caregivers learn techniques to help children with this disorder improve their behaviors and learn coping skills.
You may also find that cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, can be a helpful tool for managing impulse control disorders. A licensed and skilled behavioral health practitioner can work with a client to unlearn negative thoughts and behaviors and adopt healthier thinking patterns that support more productive participation in society.
#3: Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Also known as IED, intermittent explosive disorder typically involves impulsive, angry outbursts that are disproportionate to the situation at hand. An individual who is experiencing IED may also be violent or hostile toward people, animals, and property. If you, your child, or another loved one is living with IED, what treatment options are available?
While medication management can be an option for some impulse control disorders, therapy is typically the preferred method of treatment. Patients will work with skilled psychiatric providers to find a therapeutic method that works best for them and learn coping strategies and skills to be able to live a fulfilling life while respecting others.
Supporting Loved Ones With Impulse Control Disorders
If you are struggling with an impulse control disorder or have a child or loved one who is going through these challenges, it can be difficult to know how to best support them. Left untreated, impulse control disorders can be damaging to interpersonal relationships. That is just one reason why it is important to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with an ICD.
Here are a few tips that you might try when interacting with someone who is experiencing impulse control disorder symptoms. Whether someone chooses to pursue impulse control treatment is their own personal decision – but you can encourage seeking treatment for impulse control disorder in appropriate, empathetic ways. How else can you help?
Be a support system. If and when your loved one is ready to talk, listen. Not everyone will want to share their feelings verbally, but lending a listening ear to someone in need can make a real difference.
Do your research. Learn about local ICD treatment options and behavioral health providers. That way, if your loved one is ready to seek help, you can provide insight on where they might turn.
Don’t take their behavior personally. While this one can be tricky, remember that a person with impulse control disorder is going through a challenging time. Try not to take their aggression or behavior personally, and resist escalating the situation by engaging in a similarly aggressive manner.
Help your loved one find a support group. Your friend or family member is not the only one experiencing an impulse control disorder. Often, you will find local support groups where they can meet and connect with people going through similar experiences – sometimes these are hosted through local wellness centers.
Suggest other activities. If your friend or loved one is having trouble controlling certain urges, consider an activity that can help them take their mind off those temptations. Perhaps take a walk together or enjoy a rejuvenating fitness class.
Finally, if you are parenting or caring for a child who is exhibiting symptoms of impulse control disorder, remember that different phases of childhood and maturation may bring on these symptoms – but they may not be permanent. Impulse control disorder symptoms can mirror ADD and ADHD symptoms in children as well. Ultimately, the best path forward is to seek help from a qualified behavioral health practitioner.
Find the Support You Need for Impulse Control Disorders
If there is someone in your life – whether that is yourself, your child, or another loved one – who seems to be struggling with an impulse control disorder, it is never too soon to seek out help. If you are local to the Baltimore, Maryland area, consider Triumph Behavioral Health as your destination for high-quality impulse control disorder treatment.
We are a team of experienced behavioral health practitioners, and we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcomes. When you are facing obstacles in your life, we are here to help. At Triumph, we care.