Understanding Impulsivity 

Written By Amber Reed

According to the DSM, impulsivity is recognized as a diagnostic criterion for several disorders, including but not limited to ADHD, Borderline Personality Disorder, Substance Use Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, etc. Impulsivity has been investigated from various perspectives (behavioral, cognitive, biological, and biopsychosocial) and several definitions have been proposed: 

  • Unplanned, risky behaviors that are harmful to themselves or others. 

  • A rash response in situations where a considerate response is more appropriate. 

  • Lack of ability to evaluate the consequences of their actions, either for themselves or for others. 

  • Learned behavior that is formed inside the family. In family, children learn to react immediately in order to achieve what they desire. 

  • A coping mechanism to decrease emotional pain. 

  • Inadequate attention  

  • Motor (action without thinking) 

  • Cognitive (quick cognitive decision-making) 

  • Non-planning (decrease in orientation towards future) 

 

Not all impulsivity is negative. Impulsivity is common and developmentally appropriate among children and young adults, even proving useful in some situations. For example, impulsive action might be what is required when responding to a crisis. It could also come in handy when trying something beyond one’s comfort zone. Harmful impulsivity is associated with pervasive, developmentally inappropriate, and undesirable (rather than desirable) outcomes.  

Some examples of impulsivity include: 

  • Being easily distracted 

  • Destroying property 

  • Frequent arguments 

  • Frequent emotional outbursts 

  • Interrupting 

  • Oversharing 

  • Over-apologizing 

  • Binge eating or drinking 

  • Meaningless or risky sex 

  • Gambling 

  • Difficulty sitting still or waiting your turn 

 

As you can see, impulsivity can be referring to a wide variety of things and come from a wide variety of places. The UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale is a helpful tool utilized in treatment to separate personality facets that have been previously lumped together under the term “impulsivity.” This scale is important in understanding the reasons why individuals engage in impulsive behavior. For example, if two individuals engage in the same behavior for different reasons (e.g., gambling to distract from negative emotions versus gambling to sustain positive emotions), they are likely to respond differently to treatment.  

 

If you or someone you know is struggling with harmful effects associated with impulsivity, working with a therapist to better understand the origin of the impulsivity is the first step in managing the behaviors. No matter what its cause, impulsive behavior can be addressed, and can often be managed through therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. You can call the Resolve office and book with a specialist today. 

 

Jeri Sullivant, LSCSW

References: 

Amber Reed
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