Is impulsive behavior a disorder?
Impulsive behavior may be part of an impulse control disorder or other mental disorder, but the behavior itself is not a disorder. Sometimes this type of behavior is formed in the background of physical diseases as well.
Rarely, at least once in life, every person has shown impulsive behavior, and especially in youth, however, as we grow older, all of us learn to control impulses, manage our feelings, take responsibility for our decisions.
Impulsive behavior is spontaneous and at this time a person does not consider what effect it will have on others.
Examples of impulsive behavior include:
- Extreme partying, shopping, gambling;
- Damage, destruction of personal or other's property;
- Problem escalation;
- Do not hesitate to display intimate details;
- Physical violence;
- Unprotected sexual intercourse;
- Self harm
Decision making is a complex process and the underlying cause of impulsive behavior is often unknown. According to some scientists, impulsivity is related to the prefrontal lobe. Scientists are still studying the relationship between impulsivity and brain function, personality traits. In some clinical cases, impulsive behavior appears due to a stroke.
Risk factors are:
- Genetics;
- Environment;
- Brain injury;
- Brain functioning;
- Physical changes in the brain;
- Childhood trauma.
Source:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/impulsive-behavior#risk-factors
