Impulse control disorder treatment helps you resist urges that lead to harmful actions, such as angry outbursts, stealing or setting fires. Lotus Recovery Treatment Center is an outpatient impulse control disorder treatment center that uses CBT, DBT, psychiatric care and family therapy, and also treats the anxiety, depression or substance use that often come with it. Care is outpatient, and most insurance is accepted.
What Are Impulse Control Disorders?
An impulse control disorder makes it very hard to resist an urge, even when you know it will cause harm. The urge builds, you act on it, then relief is often followed by guilt or shame. Common types include:
- Intermittent explosive disorder (IED): repeated, sudden outbursts of anger or aggression that are out of proportion to the trigger, usually lasting less than 30 minutes
- Kleptomania: repeated urges to steal items you do not need, followed by relief and then guilt
- Pyromania: deliberately setting fires to relieve tension, and the rarest type
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD): an ongoing pattern of anger, arguing and defiance toward authority
- Conduct disorder: repeatedly breaking rules or harming people, animals or property
These conditions often begin in childhood or adolescence and can continue into adulthood. They are often overlooked or misdiagnosed for years, so many people feel relieved to finally have a name for what they have been struggling with.
Signs of an Impulse Control Disorder
Most people with an impulse control disorder know the behavior causes problems but still cannot stop it. Tension builds until it comes out as an action, such as an outburst, stealing or starting a fire. Signs to watch for include:
- Growing tension or excitement before the behavior
- Relief or pleasure while acting on the urge
- Guilt, shame or regret afterward
- Repeated failed attempts to stop
- Hiding the behavior from family, friends or coworkers
- Reactions far stronger than the situation calls for
This differs from anxiety or depression, where distress mostly stays inside. With an impulse control disorder, the inner conflict is acted out.
What Causes Impulse Control Disorders?
There is rarely one cause. Genetics, brain chemistry, stress or past trauma can all play a part. Impulse control problems also show up more often in people with ADHD, mood disorders or substance use.
Research points to a mix of factors:
- Family history: mood disorders, ADHD or substance use in a parent raise the risk
- Brain and hormones: differences in the brain areas that manage impulses, and changes in stress hormones such as cortisol
- Environment: childhood neglect, abuse, community violence or a chaotic home
- Trauma: intermittent explosive disorder is more common in people with a history of physical or emotional trauma
Dangers of Untreated Impulse Control Disorders
Without treatment, impulse control disorders can make life hard for you and the people around you. Before getting help, many people struggle with:
- Broken trust with partners, family or friends
- Trouble at work, including lost jobs
- Angry outbursts or damaged property
- Money problems or legal trouble
- Shame that keeps them from telling anyone
- Using alcohol or drugs to cope, which often makes impulses harder to control
Impulse control disorders are treatable.
Impulse Control Disorders and Substance Use
Because most people with an impulse control disorder are aware of their behavior, many turn to alcohol or drugs to quiet the tension or the shame that follows. Substances lower inhibition, which makes impulses even harder to resist, so the two problems start to feed each other.
Impulse control disorders also often occur alongside ADHD, depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. When more than one condition is present, treating only one rarely works. Our dual diagnosis treatment addresses the impulse control disorder and the co-occurring condition at the same time.
How We Treat Impulse Control Disorders
Therapy for impulse control disorder focuses on the moment between the urge and the action. Your plan can include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to spot triggers and change the thoughts behind them
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for distress tolerance and emotion regulation
- Psychiatric care with medication when it helps
- Family therapy to rebuild trust at home
If you also struggle with substance use, our dual diagnosis program treats both together.
What to Expect in Impulse Control Treatment
Treatment starts with an assessment of your symptoms, history and any co-occurring conditions, which shapes your plan. In sessions, you learn to:
- Map the thoughts, feelings and situations that lead to an urge
- Notice early warning signs, such as rising tension or racing thoughts
- Use delay and distraction techniques to ride out an urge
- Replace the behavior with a safer response
- Repair relationships affected by past behavior
Your progress is reviewed regularly, and your plan changes as your control improves.
Starting Impulse Control Disorder Treatment
Care is outpatient at 290 Conejo Ridge Ave in Thousand Oaks. You can join our IOP, outpatient or evening program.
Call (805) 856-6690 to talk with our admissions team. We are open 24/7 for admissions, and most insurance is accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best treatment for impulse control?
CBT is the most studied therapy for impulse control disorders. DBT skills help too, especially for anger or intense emotions.
What medications are used to treat impulse control disorder?
A psychiatrist may consider antidepressants, mood stabilizers or other medications, depending on your symptoms. Medication works best alongside therapy.
Why am I so impulsive?
Impulsivity can come from stress, ADHD, mood disorders, trauma or substance use. An assessment helps find what is driving it for you.
How can I learn impulse control?
Start by noticing the urge before you act. Slowing your breathing, delaying for ten minutes or leaving the situation can help. Therapy builds these skills over time.
Can impulse control disorders be cured?
There is no quick cure, but impulse control disorders are treatable. With therapy, and medication when needed, many people learn to manage urges and stop harmful behavior.
Is impulse control disorder a mental illness?
Yes. Impulse control disorders are recognized mental health conditions in the DSM-5, grouped with disruptive and conduct disorders.