Gratifying Impulses
Impulsive behavior is very basic human and animal action. It may be described as the Id. The idea is that a person acts in order to achieve the gratifying results of that action, regardless of social rules or long term effects. Compulsions are those actions that must be performed based on psychological needs and do not come with any reward or gratification other than that of having done the act. Impulses do come with rewards and so are very difficult to renounce and leave behind regardless of social pressure. Depending on the training a person has received early in life, he or she may be more or less impulsive naturally. Social conditioning is possible in the early years. There are five typically diagnosed psychologically rooted impulse disorders.
1. Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Being angry can feel good. It is a demonstration and expression of control. A person with Intermittent Explosive Disorder occasionally has extremely severe angry outbursts. They are often uncontrolled and many times violent. The person will almost always feel deeply ashamed after the episodes are over, but the outbursts continue regardless. There is no explanation for the anger because it is out of proportion to the offense and is not preceded by substance use or coupled with another psychiatric disorder.
2. Kleptomania
People steal because they want things that they do not have and cannot obtain as easily in any other way. Kleptomaniacs steal to steal. They do not usually need or want the things they take, but cannot help but continue to steal things. They are embarrassed of their crimes, but are compelled to continue anyway. The act of stealing is actually a gratifying release of tension.
3. Pyromania
Many fires are set with the intention to destroy. A pyromaniac is actually interested in fire. He likes to see the way fire works and feels the need to release tension by starting fire after fire. Unfortunately, the fires are often large and cause extensive damage and loss of life. The person, again, feels remorse over his actions, but continues anyway. He is also fascinated with firefighters and their equipment. When he isn’t starting fires, he is paying attention to where fires are happening so that he can go and watch them.
4. Pathological Gambling
Gambling is a pastime that can take control of a person’s life. Just as substances, such as alcohol, are habit forming and hard to stop using once an addiction has formed, gambling holds sway over many, many people. Tolerances increase and withdrawals are real in the world of gambling. Treatments are similar to those of other addictions.
5. Trichotillomania
While this disorder may seem unheard of, it is not really all that uncommon. It describes the condition of impulsively pulling out hair. It often happens in stressful or boring situations, but may happen at other times as well. The person feels similar tension as do the other impulsive people described above. The tension is released with hair pulling. The problem is embarrassing to the person, but he or she is unable to stop for more than short bursts of time.
Frances, Allen MD and First, Michael B. MD. Your Mental Health: A Layman’s Guide to
the Psychiatrist’s Bible. New York: Scribner, 1998.
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