Impulsivity

Definition

• Tendency to act on a whim, displaying behavior characterized by little or no forethought, reflection, or consideration of the consequences.
• Impulsivity is a major component of various disorders, including FASD, ADHD, substance use disorders, bipolar disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
• Abnormal patterns of impulsivity have also been noted instances of acquired brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Many actions contain both impulsive and compulsive features, but impulsivity and compulsivity are functionally distinct.
• Impulsivity and compulsivity are interrelated in that each exhibits a tendency to act prematurely or without considered thought and often include negative outcomes.
• Compulsivity occurs in response to a perceived risk or threat, impulsivity occurs in response to a perceived immediate gain or benefit, and, whereas compulsivity involves repetitive actions, impulsivity involves unplanned reactions.
• Impulsivity is a common feature of the conditions of gambling and alcohol addiction.

Related disease

The five traits that can lead to impulsive actions are

1. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
2. Substance abuse
3. Eating disorders such as binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and bulimia nervosa.
4. Impulse buying
5. Impulse control disorders not elsewhere classified include intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania, pathological gambling, pyromania, trichotillomania

Related entity

• Compulsivity
• Pseudobulbar affect

Remedies

• Anac:
  • Contradictory morbid impulses
  • Delusion he is pursued then have impulsive behavior

• Arg-n: Peculiar/ Strange impulses
• Ign, Puls: Impulsive behaviors
• Tub: Impulse to run
• Syph, Psor: Impulse to wash
• Hep, Plat, Merc: Impulse to stab others
• Nux-v: Impulsive shopping