Impulsivity

What is impulsivity?

Impulsivity refers to acting suddenly without conscious consideration of the potential impact of these behaviours on oneself or others around them. While it is common for people to behave impulsively on occasion, recurrent impulsive behaviours can significantly disrupt relationships, employment and overall wellbeing.

There is a wide variety of impulsive behaviours, including the following:

  • Impulse spending, where individuals make unplanned purchases without thought for their financial situation.
  • Reckless driving, where decisions are made hastily without regard for safety.
  • Binge eating and/or drinking, regarding excessive consumption of food/alcohol.
  • Unsafe sexual decisions, engaging in sex without protection methods or in potentially dangerous situations.
  • Emotional outbursts, where crying, yelling and other similar displays of emotion are frequent responses.
  • Aggressive behaviours, including arguments or physical altercations that have escalated from minor disagreements.
  • Suddenly changing plans and/or starting fresh, where individuals find it difficult to stick to one plan, one job or one place.
  • Self-harm, occurring when an individual feels emotionally overwhelmed.

Are recurrent impulsive behaviours indicative of any disorders?

Repeatedly engaging in impulsive behaviours is one of the diagnostic criteria for the following disorders in adults:

  • ADHD
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Kleptomania
  • Intermittent explosive disorder
  • Impulse control disorders

Additionally, while impulsivity is not explicitly outlined as a symptom, recent research has associated frequent impulsive behaviours with post-traumatic stress disorders.

It is important to note that impulsivity is one of many diagnostic criteria that psychologists would use in order to evaluate an individual for the above disorders. Conversely, frequent impulsivity is not always indicative of a disorder and may have other causes, such as stroke, brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals may also possess higher impulsivity as a lifelong personality trait.

How can the Melbourne psychologists at Cova Psychology help me deal with impulsivity?

The psychologists at Cova will work with you to explore your pattern of impulsivity. Sessions with one of our clinicians to address impulsive behaviours might include elements from one or more of the following evidence-based therapeutic approaches for impulsivity:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT may be used to focus on identifying and replacing negative thought patterns and behaviours associated with impulsive actions. Your clinician will work with you to develop alternative, more helpful responses to your impulses.
  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT): Applying DBT in treating impulsivity may involve increasing awareness of your impulses and any surrounding emotions, with the ultimate aim of improving emotional regulation. DBT also incorporates techniques for managing distress tolerance and expanding interpersonal skills, which may positively contribute to decreased impulsive behaviours.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT centres on increasing psychological flexibility, where you may work towards accepting unwanted thoughts and feelings rather than reacting impulsively to them. Additionally, ACT may be used to help you in clarifying your values and committing to actions that align with these values, promoting the reduction of impulsive behaviours.
  • Mindfulness based therapies: Mindfulness-based therapies centre on increasing your present-moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance of your thoughts, emotions, and impulses. Your clinician will create a safe space for you to practice mindfulness exercises in the therapy room, allowing space for observation and promoting behaviours that are more intentional.
  • Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR): Impulsive urges may be associated with previous traumatic experiences and if this is the case, a trauma processing therapy such as EMDR might be helpful.
  • Schema Therapy or Internal Family System Therapy: These therapies can assist in managing impulsivity by conceptualising our impulsive urges as being driven by a “part” of the mind or a “mode” we go into. This can be help us better identify when our impulsivity might be triggered as well as provide us with a more effective way of relating our impulsive urges.

Assessment and diagnosis for disorders

If you believe that the impulsive behaviours you are engaging in may be indicative of a disorder, our psychologists are able to assist in assessment and diagnosis. Please get in touch with us to discuss our assessment processes further.

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Medicare logo displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, indicating our acceptance of Medicare for psychologist services and support for client access to mental health care.

Acknowledgement of Country

We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the practice is located. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.

Aboriginal Flag displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, recognising and supporting Indigenous communities through our psychologist services.
Torres Strait Islander Flag displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, acknowledging and supporting Indigenous communities as part of our psychologist services.

We Welcome all People

Rainbow Flag displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, symbolising support for the LGBTQIA+ community through inclusive psychologist services.
Intersex Flag displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, representing support for the intersex community with inclusive psychologist services.
Transgender Flag displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, representing support for the transgender community through inclusive psychologist services.
Aboriginal Flag displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, recognising and supporting Indigenous communities through our psychologist services.
Wheelchair symbol representing accessibility at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, ensuring inclusive psychologist services for all clients.
Torres Strait Islander Flag displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, acknowledging and supporting Indigenous communities as part of our psychologist services.

We Work With

AHPRA logo displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, signifying our commitment to professional standards in psychologist services.
APS logo displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, representing our affiliation with the Australian Psychological Society and commitment to high standards in psychologist services.
AASW logo displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, indicating our commitment to social work standards and integrated psychologist services.
TAC logo displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, representing our collaboration to support clients with access to psychologist services.
NDIS logo displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, indicating our support for clients accessing psychologist services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
WorkSafe logo displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, symbolising our commitment to workplace safety and support for psychologist services.
VOCAT logo displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, representing our commitment to supporting clients through psychological services in collaboration with the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal.
Medicare logo displayed at Cova Psychology in Melbourne, indicating our acceptance of Medicare for psychologist services and support for client access to mental health care.
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