Impulse control disorders involve the failure to resist impulses, drives or temptations to engage in behavior that causes harm to oneself or others. 

Substance abuse is an example of a common impulse control disorder. However, this guide focuses on impulse control disorders, not elsewhere classified in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), or rare impulse disorders that, unlike substance abuse, do not have their own distinct diagnosis. 

There are a variety of impulse control disorders that involve specific types of destructive behaviors. These include impulsive aggression, kleptomania (stealing), pyromania (fire-setting), gambling and trichotillomania (hair-pulling). Each involves a lack of control in certain situations. Many impulse control disorders involve feelings of tension before the act, and a sense of relief or pleasure when the act is accomplished. Afterwards, there may be feelings of remorse, shame or guilt.

Many aspects of impulse control disorders vary according to type of disorder and individual differences. For example, some types of impulse control disorders tend to be either chronic (e.g., gambling addiction) or sporadic (e.g., pyromania) in nature. Some types may be chronic or sporadic, depending on the individual with the disorder (e.g., intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania, trichotillomania).

Many of the behaviors associated with impulse control disorders can occur with other mental disorders. For example, people with bipolar disorder may steal or have explosive outbursts. People with other disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder) may engage in illegal activity such as fire-setting, stealing or acts of uncontrollable violence. Disorders such as trichotillomania that involve feelings of tension and relief share features with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Impulse control disorders may cause serious harm to the person with the disorder as well as family, friends and others who come into contact with the individual. Consequences of impulse control disorders may include interpersonal, occupational and financial difficulties. These disorders can also lead to injury, hospitalization, arrest and imprisonment.