IMPULSIVE CONTROL DISORDER

Impulsive control disorder consists of a group of mental health disorders.  Even when he/she knows it will likely to lead to harm, with ICD the impulses are unable to be resisted.  Acting on impulses does not always mean the individual has impulsive control disorder.  The main difference between healthy impulses and ICD is with ICD the result of acting on impulses he/she will experience negative consequences. The person may be aware of the negative consequences but cannot resist the urge to act.  With this disorder, great pleasure may be gained. If the individual does not act on the impulse, he/she can become anxious, but after the impulsive act regret, shame and/or remorse are felt.  A combination of biological, social and psychological factors are likely the causes of ICD.  Researchers believe that this disorder is caused by neurotransmitter imbalance in the brain.  A hormone imbalance can lead to risky behavior associated with ICD are violent and/or aggressive tendencies.  Obsessive-compulsive disorder and impulsive control disorder has been viewed traditionally as two different disorders.  OCD is generally driven by the desire to avoid harm.  ICD is driven by reward seeking behavior.  There are certain behaviors similar in both.  For example, the compulsiveness of skin pickings in ICD patients and the behavior of reward seeking in OCD.  An example is hoarding.  There is a disagreement how impulsive control disorders should be classified by the psychological community.  Some classify them as "addictions", others classify these disorders as subjects of obsessive-compulsive disorder.  Yet others classify impulse disorders as a category all together. The damaging effects over time of an ICD  may show up in one or more major life areas, including relationship problems, health problems, problems at work and problems with the law.  ICD closely resembles other forms of psychological disorders.  Some are bipolar disorder , anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Someone with ICD issues will experience withdrawal effects similar to substance abuse disorder when he/she does not carry out the desired behavior.  The compulsive aspect also resembles the ritual-type behavior depression and anxiety sufferers engage in order to deal with daily pressures.  When left untreated, people affected by impulsive control disorder remain at risk of developing other forms of psychological disorder.