Impulse Control Disorder Symptoms

Impulse control disorders (ICD) refer to the conditions characterized by difficulty in controlling emotions and behaviors. The behavior of the patient often violates the rights of others and results in conflict with the law and societal norms.
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The common forms of impulse control disorders include oppositional defiant disorders, conduct disorders, kleptomania, pyromania, and intermittent explosive disorders. These disorders tend to coexist in patients with alcoholism or addiction to recreational drugs. [1]

Also, men are slightly more prone to develop impulse control disorders than women. Here is a brief discussion about the common signs and symptoms of impulse control disorders.
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Core Symptoms of impulse control disorders
The extent to which impulse control disorders share genetic, clinical, biological, and phenomenological features is not fully understood. Yet, several ICDs share a few core qualities as given below:

• Diminished or complete lack of control over problematic behaviors
• An insatiable craving or appetitive urge prior to the engagement in problematic behaviors
• Repetitive engagement in violent or aggressive behaviors in spite of adverse consequences
• A hedonic feeling or quality experienced while performing problematic behaviors

These features of impulse control behaviors have led to a description of these conditions being behavioral addictions.

These disorders appear to have clinical overlap with compulsive behaviors and possess the domain of impulsivity and compulsivity. However, compulsivity and impulsivity usually occur simultaneously or at different times, thereby complicating our understanding of their behaviors.

What are the common signs and symptoms of impulse control disorders?
The symptoms vary depending on the specific form of impulse control disorder a patient has. They may also show varying sets of symptoms depending on their age, gender, and the environment they are surrounded by. [2]

The symptoms of these conditions can be grouped under different categories such as physical, behavioral, psychosocial, and cognitive as discussed beneath. 

Physical symptoms:

• Burn marks on patients who engage in fire-starting tendencies
• Presence of multiple scars and injuries from engaging in violence or physical fights or due to the episodes of aggressive actions
• History of sexually-transmitted diseases resulting from risky sexual behaviors

Behavioral symptoms:

• Compulsive lying
• Tendency for stealing
• Participating in risky actions including sexual behaviors
• Starting fires
• Acting violently or aggressively against people including family members, animals, property, and objects

Psychosocial symptoms:

• Agitation
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Isolating oneself from family and friends
• A feeling of low self-worth
• Frequent episodes of emotional detachment

Cognitive symptoms:

• Acting on impulse
• Lack of logical thinking behind actions and behaviors
• Inability to remain calm and patient
• Obsessive thinking
• Compulsive thought pattern

These symptoms of impulse control disorders are more intense in patients with alcohol addiction. However, it has been found that proper treatment of ICDs together with counseling can help to control the aggressive and impulsive behaviors to a great extent. [3] [4]

Conclusion
Being aware of the symptoms of impulse control disorders can enable patients to seek appropriate medical intervention and prevent the harmful consequences related to the same. Find a psychiatrist near you for help. 

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3822522/
2. https://www.resourcetreatmentcenter.com/behavioral/impulse-control/symptoms-effects/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2895996/o
4. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/co-occurring-disorders/impulse-control-disorder