Impulsivity: Causes, Symptoms, and Strategies to Manage Impulsive Behavior

Impulsivity or impulsive behavior is when one acts without considering the consequences. In simple words, it is acting without thinking. It is normal for people to display impulsivity at certain times, however, frequent impulsive behavior becomes a problem. In some cases, impulsive behavior can also be a part of a bigger problem, like an impulse control disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, and so on. However, impulsivity in itself is not a disorder.

Nevertheless, impulsive behavior can sometimes lead to disastrous consequences. Therefore, in this blog, we shall seek to comprehensively address what causes impulsive behavior, what are the symptoms of impulsive behavior, and what are the strategies to manage impulsive behavior.

What is Impulsive Behavior?

Impulsive behavior is when one acts fast, without giving any thought to the consequences of the said behavior. Impulsivity is not a rare trait, everyone engages in it from time to time, and it is especially common among younger people. Examples of impulsive behaviors include saying something one does not intend to, angry outbursts, engaging in risky sexual activities, and so on.

Now, not all impulsive behaviors or impulsivity indicate a problem. In fact, it is not out of place for someone to act in this way. However, it is when a repetitive pattern of impulsive behavior develops and when one is not able to control these impulses, there may be a reason for caution. It can be that impulsive behavior is an outcome of impulse control disorders, which are characterized by an inability to control one’s impulses and can lead to potentially severe consequences. Or, other underlying conditions like developmental disorders or mood disorders are contributing to impulsivity.

Symptoms of Impulsivity

Impulsive behavior, while commonplace, can lead to undesirable consequences in interpersonal and social lives. Therefore, certain symptoms of impulsivity to look out for are as follows:

• Restlessness
• Becoming distracted
• Attributing urgency and importance to tasks or problems that do not require such undue consideration
• Abruptly joining or quitting groups, jobs, and so on
• Spending money on a whim and an inability to manage and save money
• Interrupting others
• Engaging in risky sexual activities
• Oversharing, especially intimate details
• Frequent angry outbursts
• Aggressive behavior, even escalating to physical violence in the heat of the moment
• Vandalizing or destroying property, whether it is one’s own or others in the heat of the moment

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Causes of Impulsivity

The causes of impulsivity lie in the understanding of brain connectivity. To elaborate a bit, the brain is divided into different parts. For instance, the amygdala is considered the seat of emotions, and is dedicated to processing emotions. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex, which is a part of the frontal lobe, is responsible for reasoning and decision-making. Usually, the parts associated with emotions like the amygdala develop faster than the parts associated with reasoning and decision-making, like the prefrontal cortex. In fact, the prefrontal cortex develops fully at around the age of 25 years. Therefore, it is common for younger people to be more impulsive than adults.

Moreover, in cases of low impulse control, there can be dysfunctions within the prefrontal cortex, as it plays a great role in suppressing impulsive behaviors.

Apart from brain connectivity, brain lesions, stroke, alcohol use disorder, and even dementia can lead to impulsivity.

Risk Factors For Impulsive Behavior

There are certain risk factors for impulsive behavior, which can make one more prone to engaging in them than others:

• Males are more likely to engage in impulsive behavior than females are.
• A family history of mental health conditions can make one more prone to engaging in impulsive behaviors.
• Dysfunctions in brain activity or hormones can lead to impulsive behaviors.
• Environmental and social factors, like having a troubled family, facing abuse or neglect, exposure to violence, and low income can contribute to impulsive behaviors.

Impulsivity and Mental Health Disorders

Impulsivity in and of itself is not a mental health condition or disorder. Anybody can display impulsivity from time to time. However, in some cases, impulsivity can be a symptom of an underlying condition that requires paying attention. Certain mental health disorders strongly linked with impulsivity are as follows:

• Impulse Control Disorders – Impulsivity can be a symptom of impulse control disorders, characterized by an urge to do things that are socially unacceptable, harm oneself or others, and so on. These disorders are of different types, like:
  • Antisocial personality disorders
  • Conduct disorder
  • Intermittent explosive disorder
  • Kleptomania
  • Oppositional defiant disorder
  • Pyromania
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Impulsive behaviors are found among children with ADHD, like shouting, interrupting others, and so on.
• Bipolar Disorder – Characterized by extreme shifts in moods, impulsivity can become evident in the form of risky decision-making, lowered response inhibitions, and others.
• Pathological Gambling – People with this condition cannot stop themselves from gambling, which devastates their finances and personal lives.
• Trichotillomania – Otherwise known as hair-pulling disorder, it is when people are unable to stop themselves from pulling out hair from their head, eyebrows, or other places of the body.
• Substance Use Disorders – As substances like alcohol can lower inhibitions, it can lead to impulsive behaviors. For instance, engaging in risky sexual activities.

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How to Manage Impulsivity?

Managing impulsivity can increase the quality of life and interpersonal relationships. Some techniques one can employ to manage impulsivity are as follows:

– Explore the underlying reasons for impulsive behaviors; this can be anything like stress or emotional turmoil. Maintain a journal that tracks impulsive behaviors and the triggers that give rise to these behaviors so as to analyze a pattern and change the same.

– Engage in healthy alternative behaviors that can suppress unhealthy impulsive behaviors. For instance, if one is prone to spending on a whim, direct the focus toward saving for something more big and meaningful.

– Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness helps one stay in contact with the present and pay attention to their thinking and behavioral patterns. By doing so, one can recognize the indications of impulsivity and act toward restricting them.

– It is important to be understanding and compassionate to oneself. Impulsivity is a trait that people exhibit from time to time. When this happens, instead of being severe, acknowledge it, learn from the experience, forgive oneself, and move forward with knowledge and patience.

– Seek help. Sometimes, impulsivity is a part of an underlying condition, like an impulse control disorder, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and so on. Seeking professional help can help in addressing the underlying reasons for impulsivity and also in reducing impulsivity.

Long-Term Effects of Untreated Impulsivity

Frequent impulsivity can lead to many adverse effects, especially when not paid attention to or left untreated (in cases of other mental health conditions). Some long-term effects of untreated impulsivity are:

• Poor academic performance.
• Suspension and expulsion from school, college, or job.
• Damaged interpersonal relationships.
• Unhealthy behaviors, like uncontrolled drinking, pathological gambling, and so on.
• Inability to manage finances, leading to financial troubles.
• Decreasing self-worth and self-esteem.

Treatment for Impulsivity

While impulsivity in itself does not require treatment, there are cases in which repeated patterns of impulsive behaviors and underlying conditions become a reason for concern. Some of the impulsivity treatment options are:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the main psychotherapeutic treatment for impulsive behaviors. It helps change the underlying thinking and emotional patterns that give rise to impulsive behaviors. CBT also equips clients with healthy coping strategies to deal with events or circumstances that trigger impulsive behaviors.

Behavioral techniques, including positive reinforcements for desirable behaviors and nonviolent discipline when delivered consistently can help in controlling impulsive behaviors from very early on.

Medications are not available to treat impulsivity itself, but they are available to treat conditions that can contribute to impulsivity. For instance, impulse control disorders are managed to a certain extent with antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), ADHD is treated with Adderall, and so on.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to reduce impulsivity?

Keeping a track of impulsive behaviors, adopting healthier alternatives to impulsive behaviors, practicing mindfulness, exercising self-compassion, and seeking professional help can reduce impulsivity.

What medication is used for impulsive behavior?

There is no medication to treat impulsive behavior in and of itself, however, medications are available to treat conditions that contribute to impulsivity. For instance, SSRIs help with impulse control disorders while ADHD is treated with Adderall.