Impulsive behaviors are carried out quickly and without control. These types of behaviors are not planned ahead of time and there is no thought given to potential consequences.
If you have found yourself buying a new shirt on a whim, only to later realize you don’t need it, or can’t afford it, this is an example of impulsive behavior.
Impulsive behaviors tend to be connected to immediate and positive rewards. Buying that shirt felt great!
The behavior usually brings immediate relief or distraction from emotional distress or upset. However, the behaviors bring long term negative consequences such as even greater emotional distress (once the behavior is over) financial difficulties, relationship problems, or damage to one’s own physical health.  
You know this is true if the euphoric feelings that you experienced when buying the shirt wore off by the time you were finding place for the new shirt in your closet.

Is my behavior impulsive?

​Some examples of impulsive behaviors are:

• Overspending that leads to financial distress
• Risky sexual behavior
• Overeating unhealthy foods
• Self harm
• Taking drugs or drinking too much alcohol
• Quitting a job on emotional impulse
• Physical violence
• Self harm

These are only some known impulsive behaviors. For a more complete list you can click here.

Children can be impulsive too

Children also suffer from difficulties controlling impulsive behavior. Part of this is simply a normal course of development. Children gain self control naturally over time. However, some children have greater difficulty than others.
For example, children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are known to have difficulties with impulse control.

​Understanding and implementing strategies to coach and assist the child can be helpful for these children. Seeing a therapist who is trained to work with children is also helpful. Children with ADHD can learn how to manage their behavior issues. Teaching the child skills will do more than help them control their behavior. It will also give them a sense of agency and healthy self esteem. This type of treatment can be extremely helpful to both the child and the whole family.

It might be stress

No matter what age or level of development, we know that stress exacerbates one’s lack of impulse control.
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Sometimes impulsive behavior can be triggered by the ending of an important relationship, work stress, or rejection from a parent or romantic partner. In this case, impulsive behavior can manifest as an emotional response to stress. They experience an increase in stress and as a result, turn to impulsive behavior as an attempt to gain some control over how they feel.

​Why do we take part in impulsive behavior?

Mental health researchers have linked neurological processes to impulse control.  This makes sense as early childhood maltreatment and chronic stress have known impacts on the developing brain and nervous system. If a child is continually exposed to extreme or chronic stress, the brain and nervous system misses out on important milestone opportunities to develop the capacity to manage emotions and develop cognitive and social skills.

​Early childhood abuse or neglect is thought to have a lasting impact on adult executive function. Executive function can be thought of as “the ability to plan and get things done”.

​Planning and executing behavior involves the ability to organize, manage time, pay attention, and switch focus when necessary and follow things through.

Treatment options for impulsive behavior
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If you are an adult struggling with impulse control, there are pharmaceutical options that have shown to be helpful. Although research is limited, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has also shown some success in controlling various types of impulsive behavior.   

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Get help

If you or your child are struggling with impulse control, then you know this is a serious issue that is affecting your quality of life.
Relationships, your career, your family’s health, and your finances can be damaged to the point they are difficult to repair. Therefore, please seek out treatment as early as possible to bring about the best chances of achieving your full potential in life and happiness.
Click here to make an appointment with a therapist in the Chicago metro area. Our therapists are available to tolp in Evanston, Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Bannockburn, and Hyde Park.

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