Impulsive Urges

To act impulsively is to act suddenly and without careful thought and can frequently result in an action that the person later regrets. There are many causes of impulsive behaviour. Causes of impulsive behaviour are explored and uncovered during psychotherapy sessions, but studies consider the following to be the main catalysts for frequent impulsive behaviours ; personality, brain connectivity, brain function and physical conditions, such as brain lesions and stroke.

Characteristics of Impulsivity and BPD
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), impulsive behaviours are a hallmark of BPD.1 and people who are impulsive are commonly described as:
Hot-headed
Rash
Unpredictable
Unstable

Differential Diagnoses
Impulsive behaviours are not exclusive too BPD. They are also associated with the following:

• Physical causes of impulsivity, including acquired brain injury or a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer's disease or Huntington's disease.
  
• Bipolar mania, often in tandem with grandiosity and a flight of ideas (During an acute manic episode, a person will often act impulsivity with little thought of the consequence.
  
• Spending sprees and hyper-sexual behaviours are two common examples of impulsivity related to bipolar disorder).2
  
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), known as hyperactive-impulsive ADHD,
  
• Substance use disorders, although the impulsiveness is typically exhibited under the influence of drugs, when craving drugs, or when actively seeking drugs.4
  

Ways to control impulsive urges

• Reminding yourself to stop and think.
  
• Allowing an alternative outlet for my impulses.
  
• When getting impulsive, I asking yourself why: Why do you want that?
  
• Avoiding the situations that lead to impulsive behaviours.
  
• Daily mindfulness practice and reviewing things that need to be done.
  
• Get enough sleep.
  

Five Examples of Impulsive Urges
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• Excessive Drinking. Substance Abuse
  
• Taking Drugs. Substance Abuse
  
• Becoming Violent & Aggressive. Anger
  
• Gambling. Substance Abuse
  
• Binge Eating. Self Harm
  

Treatment for Controlling Impulsive Urges

• The most prominent form of treatment would be cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is effective in treating impulse control disorders because the focus of the treatment exposes the relationship between thoughts and behaviours.
  
• Your doctor also might recommend medications. Antidepressants like selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, can help with impulse control disorders.