Impulsivity is a characteristic of a number of mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), bipolar disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People who experience impulsivity may make hasty decisions, get into arguments, and engage in risky behaviors.
Pyromania (intentionally starting fires) and kleptomania (the urge to steal) are well-known types of impulsive disorders. Intermittent explosive disorder, trichotillomania (urge to pull your hair out), conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and unspecified impulse control disorder are a few others.
In general, impulsivity is the symptom of some disorders, such as hyperactivity disorder (24), depression and anxiety disorder (25), and personality disorders, especially cluster B disorders (antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder).
Reasons for Impulsive Behavior. Impulsive behaviors don't always have a clear or obvious cause, but many factors can contribute to why someone might struggle with impulsiveness. Genetics, personality types, and mental health conditions can all play a role in spontaneous behavior.
For many years it was understood that impulsivity is a trait but with further analysis it can be found that there were five traits that can lead to impulsive actions: positive urgency, negative urgency, sensation seeking, lack of planning, and lack of perseverance.
To understand the differences and commonalities between ADHD and BPD in the realm of impulsivity better it has been hypothesized that ADHD is characterized by high levels of trait impulsivity whereas BPD is characterized by state impulsivity or, in other words, stress-induced high impulsivity levels.
Impulsive and risky behavior, such as gambling, reckless driving, unsafe sex, spending sprees, binge eating or drug abuse, or sabotaging success by suddenly quitting a good job or ending a positive relationship. Suicidal threats or behavior or self-injury, often in response to fear of separation or rejection.
ESTPs and ESFPs are the most impulsive personality types. They both live in the moment and don't often think things through before making a decision. Considering the potential consequences is not a priority for them, so they often act on impulse.
Impulsivity is a symptom of mania in bipolar disorder (BD), reflecting a tendency towards fast and unplanned responses with disregard of the consequences for oneself or others [1].
People with autism show signs of both impulsivity and compulsivity. For example, they frequently engage in repetitive, compulsive behaviors — dubbed 'stimming' — to address either a lack of sensory stimulation or a surfeit of it.
Antidepressants. Antidepressants can treat irritability associated with impulse control disorders. Antidepressants may be a viable treatment option for the urge to engage in impulsive behavior characterized by growing irritability and agitation.
Signs and Symptoms for Impulsive BPD
Elusive and mercurial. Superficial, easily entertaining others on a surface level but avoiding more meaningful interactions or relationships. High levels of energy and easily bored. Thrill-seeking and risk-taking behaviors without regard for consequences.
A distorted and unstable self-image or sense of self. Impulsive and often dangerous behaviors, such as spending sprees, unsafe sex, substance misuse, reckless driving, and binge eating.
People with BPD tend to be impulsive because they are characterized by instability in their emotions, behaviors and relationships. They fail to recognize how their reactions to things are unreasonable and excessive and are unable to take into account potential consequences.
Some of the most common symptoms of ADHD include difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, overly active behavior, learning deficits and mood instability.
Bipolar disorder is primarily a mood disorder. ADHD affects attention and behavior; it causes symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While ADHD is chronic or ongoing, bipolar disorder is usually episodic, with periods of normal mood interspersed with depression, mania, or hypomania.
People with symptoms of impulsivity often: Are impatient with waiting their turn or waiting in line. Blurt out answers before questions have been completed. Interrupt or intrude on others, such as butting into conversations or games.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressant medications that have been studied for the treatment of impulse control disorders. For example, Frontiers in Psychiatry reported improvement in aggression and irritability in people battling intermittent explosive disorder who took Prozac (fluoxetine).
Yes, anxiety can cause impulsivity.
Children don't actually develop this kind of self-control until 3.5 to 4 years of age, and even then they still need a lot of help managing their emotions and impulses.
A distorted and unstable self-image or sense of self. Impulsive and often dangerous behaviors, such as spending sprees, unsafe sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, and binge eating.