Treatments for Impulsive Control Disorder

Many psychological disorders present with a loss of control in certain situations, but this loss of control is typically only a component of a much larger canvas of symptoms and pattern of behavior. When a psychological disorder is specifically defined by a loss or lack of control, it is diagnosed as an impulse control disorder. The Mental Health Association lists six subtypes of impulse control disorders: intermittent explosive disorder, pathological gambling, pyromania, kleptomania, trichotillomania (an irresistible urge to pull out hair) and impulse-control disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), stating that each demonstrates "failure to resist an impulse, drive or temptation to perform an act that is harmful to the self or others." Fortunately, according to Psyweb.com, there are a myriad of treatments available for these life-disrupting disorders.

Behavior Therapy

• Behavior therapy is based on the idea that abnormal behaviors are the result of negative learning, so your doctor will focus on helping you to access and act upon positive thinking patterns and behavior. He will immediately set up a plan for you to follow that will include goals and expected outcomes. In order to introduce new and positive behaviors into your life, there are several methods that your doctor may utilize including coaching, modeling, relaxation, reinforcement, assertion, behavioral rehearsal, cognitive restructuring, self-management and social-skills training.

Gestalt Therapy

• In gestalt therapy, your doctor will attempt to help you to understand how your past experiences and present thinking patterns influence and determine your behavior. She will guide you in learning to connect your behavior to your negative thoughts and feelings and will help you to accept personal responsibility for your own actions rather than placing blame on life events or other people. To achieve these goals, your doctor may utilize role playing, dream analysis, confrontation or dialogue with polarities (give-and-take conversation between therapist and patient during which the patient learns to accept personal responsibility and consequences, rather than separating himself from his negative actions).

Adlerian Therapy

• Adlerian therapy is based on the premise that you can be motivated by the goals you set and how you choose to deal with the challenges set before you. Your doctor will do an in-depth interview with you, with specific emphasis on your lifestyle and family history, and will then help you set positive, reachable goals for yourself. As you set out to reach the goals you have set, your therapist will provide guidance and encouragement through skills training, "homework" assignments and contracts between you and your doctor.

Existential Therapy

• Existential therapy focuses on the idea that you and you alone are in charge of your decisions and behavior. Your doctor will guide you to understand that you are not a slave to your impulses, that you and not your disorder are responsible for your past behavior, and that you are free and capable of making thoughtful, responsible decisions.

Reality Therapy

• A doctor administering reality therapy will focus on the premise that your own negative feelings and ideas about yourself are causing your abnormal behavior. He will, in essence, force you to take an in-depth look at yourself in an effort to make you understand why you choose to indulge in destructive behavior. Once the connections between your feelings and your behaviors are understood, your doctor will guide you in improving your self-estimation, changing your behavior and setting positive goals for yourself.

Transactional Analysis

• Transactional analysis is based on the idea that if you can understand your abnormal behavior and are able to seriously consider it's negative impact, then you will be able to change it. Thus, your doctor will direct you to look at your past behaviors and examine the effect they are having on your present life. She will then guide you in learning how to make better decisions for your future.

Other Therapies

• Other therapeutic treatments used in treating impulse control disorders are psychoanalysis, which will focus on uncovering repressed childhood conflicts; rational-emotive therapy, which will be directed at helping you to replace irrational thinking patterns with positive thinking patterns; and cognitive-behavioral therapy, based on reversing the negative thought and behavior patterns that you developed in childhood.
  According to the Mental Health Association, some doctors have also found the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Paxil or Zoloft helpful, because they may help to balance brain neurotransmitters associated with impulse control.