Impulse Control Disorder

00:01 Now, let's review the impulse control disorders starting with intermittent explosive disorder.

00:07 So, what is an impulse? Well, impulses are characterized by an inability to resist behaviors that may bring harm to one's self or others. So again, what's important here is not that there's intent to harm but it's an impulse that can't be resisted.

00:25 Anxiety or tension is often experienced prior to the impulse and then there's relief or satisfaction after the behavior is completed. Types of impulses include intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania, pyromania, pathological gambling, and trichotillomania. When it comes to impulse control disorder features, what are some of the common features to all of these types of impulse control disorders? Well, there's a failure to resist an impulse to perform some kind of destructive act, and there's escalating tension prior to the act, and then a sense of catharsis or release after.

01:10 Some brain regions and hormones are really associated with impulsivity.

01:15 In the brain, impulsive behavior tends to be linked to the limbic system and in terms of hormones, the most associated hormone with aggressive behavior is testosterone.

01:27 The brain stem cerebrospinal fluid levels of which neurotransmitter are decreased in patients with impulse control disorder? So, we actually see serotonin decreased in their CSF.