Most people can remember a time in their lives when they behaved impulsively and faced negative consequences. Typically, people learn from these experiences and do their best not to act in haste or without weighing outcomes in the future. But what happens when people continue to follow their impulses excessively—regardless of the outcome? It could be that the tendency is a symptom of an undiagnosed or unmanaged mental health disorder.
Isolated incidents of impulsivity happen to everyone. However, regular and intense impulsivity leads to a myriad of undesirable life consequences. If you’re watching someone you love hurt themselves through impulsive behavior or cope with the fallout by misusing substances, it’s important to realize that they could be struggling with a mental health condition. But there is help. Call My 5 Palms for professional dual-diagnosis treatment. No one has to live at the mercy of their impulses. Call 1.844.675.1022 today.
How Impulsivity and Mental Health Are Connected
There are some parallels between pathological impulsive behavior and substance use disorders. The most noteworthy may be that the person experiencing them seems unable to correct the behavior even in the face of serious consequences.
Some of those consequences may be:
- Damaged or severed relationships
- Arrest or incarceration
- Spending money excessively
- Picking fights
- Promiscuity
- Substance misuse
If you or someone you love is experiencing these kinds of consequences, it may mean there are underlying mental health concerns.
Some of the conditions that include impulsive behavior as a symptom are:
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Substance use disorders
Sometimes, a diagnosis can sound intimidating. But being able to name what you’re experiencing can also be a relief. It means learning what to do next in order to live a happy, healthy life. A professional diagnosis, followed by an appropriate treatment plan is a great start.
If you or someone you know exhibits these behaviors, focus on getting professional mental health support rather than the symptoms and behaviors. Direct your attention toward the solution and work to stay positive.
The Connection Between Alcohol and Impulse Control
Alcohol use is often part of the mental health conversation, especially as it relates to impulsivity. It is not unusual for someone with an alcohol use disorder to also need mental health treatment, and the substance has been shown to increase the frequency and severity of high-risk behaviors.
While this would be problematic for anyone, it can be especially harmful to individuals already struggling with mental health challenges. Heavy drinking exacerbates existing issues, creating a cycle of poor choices and negative consequences. Seeking support for alcohol-related impulsivity is a key step toward improving overall mental health.
Managing Impulsivity and Mental Health
Impulsive behavior can seem to come from nowhere. Often, people who act impulsively are just as astonished by their behavior as anyone else. But the truth is every behavior begins somewhere. Even when you don’t notice the stimulus or the thoughts that preceded an impulsive action, there is a cause.
Successfully managing impulsivity begins with learning to recognize triggers. Increasing self-awareness helps give individuals an opportunity to pause a moment, evaluate their thinking, and counteract impulsive thoughts. Of course this is easier said than done, but with the right tools and with practice, impulsivity is possible to manage.
With professional mental health treatment, many people have regained control over their lives. You do not have to live with the consequences of impulsivity or an untreated mental health disorder. All it takes is the courage and willingness to get professional support.
Professional Support for Impulsivity and Mental Health
The first step is reaching out for quality mental health support. At 5 Palms, we offer comprehensive treatment that begins with an evaluation. Understanding your mental health, as well as any substance use disorders you may be experiencing. This is an essential step in developing a plan that’s right for you. It ensures that co-occurring conditions, such as ADHD and substance use disorders, for example, are identified and treated together with dual-diagnosis treatment. By addressing the root causes, individuals can begin to regain control over their actions and emotions. This integrated approach targets both mental health and addiction simultaneously, offering a path to recovery that is both sustainable and effective.
The types of therapy typically utilized for managing impulsive behavior include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – Helps individuals recognize thought patterns that lead to impulsive actions and provides strategies to change these patterns
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) – Particularly effective with individuals experiencing BPD and related impulsivity. This therapy emphasizes emotional regulation and distress tolerance
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) – The focus during these sessions is on accepting feelings and thoughts rather than fighting them, and strategies for committing to actions that are aligned with personal values
- Psychodynamic therapy – This therapy explores unconscious motivations and past experiences that may drive impulsive behavior
- Group therapy – Sessions provide an individual with opportunities for accountability from peers facing similar challenges and the benefit of hearing the experiences and coping strategies of others
Getting professional support is the key to healing and living the life that you’ve always wanted to. Contact 5 Palms to get started. We’re ready to go on the journey with you.
Call 5 Palms Today for Impulsivity and Mental Health Treatment
You can live a happy and productive life. The first step is learning to control your impulses—we can help you do that. Give us a call today at 1.844.675.1022 or submit our online contact form, and we’ll reach out to you. We can’t wait to see you living the life you’ve been wanting to live.
