Do you ever feel like you took a decision too quickly without having second thoughts about it and immediately regretted it?
People oftentimes tend to confuse personality disorders and ADHD with bursts of impulses. However, it is common for those who are diagnosed with a personality disorder and ADHD to exhibit impulse control issues. Lack of control can manifest as overly controlled or under-controlled impulses, which tend to break out in stressful situations or boredom.
Under the category of personality disorders, some can experience a lack of impulse control (affective emotional regulation). This lies can under those who have a “healthy personality”, which conducts between two of the extreme poles. However, lack of impulsivity ranges from person to person – under and over control.
Considering self-control being the root development for a healthy balance between over and under control, our impulses tend to act upon a consequence of an impulsive reaction. Having experienced these consequences, we then decide to act upon how we feel. However, determining how we allow ourselves to engage in an impulsive reaction, we tend to inhibit it. The inhibition of such certain impulses enables the way we behave towards a situation, both responsibly and socially acceptable. Further, in some cases, our impulses may promote positive attributions serving in relationships or workplaces.
Knowing to Control Impulsivity
Two particular areas that can be concerning are passive aggressiveness and sexual impulses. These in particular can be dangerous and held accountable. With that being said, the overly controlled impulses can lead up to a negative impact towards yourself and those around you. Having a certain amount of self-control towards risk-taking acts is necessary. It may lead to either failure or success, which can be taken as a positive creative expression and solving relationships. Risk-taking is part of the adrenaline, excitement and spontaneity of life’s enjoyment, but too much of it can lead to impulse control. We can end up feeling restricted and bored. It is important to have a healthy balance between taking risks and controlling your impulsivity.
The challenge to find the right balance of impulse control can vary from person to person here and there, including those with healthy impulse control or healthy personalities. We have all made irresponsible decisions or acted upon our impulsive behaviors. At other times, we allowed our impulses to control us, failing what could have benefitted us. On the other hand, flexibility enables the right number of impulsive balances.
Individuals with personality disorders are distinguished by their patterned behaviors of over and under control and the severity of each impulse. Over control of an impulse can be seen as an inhibition, and reluctance to maintain doing anything that involves risk-taking or uncertain new activities can be seen as over-conscientiousness. Lack of control can be indicated as recklessness, not regarding anyone’s feelings surrounding the individual. This uncertain pattern can lead to dangerous problems such as drug usage, drug selling, dangerous sexual acts, overspending money, assault, or self-injury.
Common Symptoms of Impulsive Behaviors
- Lying
- Kleptomania
- Vandalism
- Explosive anger
- Sudden physical or verbal outbursts
- Harming animals or people
- Pulling on hair, eyebrows, and lashes
- Eating disorders
Common Symptoms of Impulsive Behaviors
- Gambling issues
- Drug or substance abuse
- Hypersexuality
- Over compulsive spending
- Sexual addiction
- Internet addiction
- Pyromania
- Repeating mistakes