Each individual impulse control disorder has different symptoms. However, there are some symptoms common to all impulse control disorders, not elsewhere classified, regardless of the focus of the impulsive behavior. These include:

• Strong urges to engage in a particular behavior that may be damaging to oneself or others.
  
  
• Inability to resist engaging in the behavior. In some cases, feelings of tension, anxiety or irritability occur when people with impulse control disorders attempt to resist engaging in the behavior.
  
  
• Preoccupation with the behavior.
  
  
• Experiencing distress or impairment (e.g., emotional, interpersonal, financial), arrest or physical injury as a result of the behavior.

Kleptomania, pyromania and trichotillomania include symptoms of “tension and release.” Prior to the impulsive behavior, people with these types of impulse control disorders experience increasing levels of tension or anxiety. Once the act (e.g., stealing, fire-setting, hair-pulling) has been committed, feelings of pleasure, gratification or relief are common.