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What are Impulse Control Disorders?



Binge Eating   What are impulse control disorders?(Process Addictions, Behavioral Addictions, Lifestyle Addictions)
Sex, Love, Gambling, Shopping, Food, Videogames, Internet, Work…

These are all “behavioral activities” that can become problematic, impulsive and excessive.

The combination of our technology (internet, social media, videogames) combined with less family interaction and more stress has caused some people to become more vulnerable to lifestyle addictions.

Research is revealing similar neurocircuitry between behavioral addictions and drug addictions.




Binge Eating

  Are We A Society of Overconsumption & Excess?

Impulse Control Disorders Definition:

  1. Repetitive or compulsive engagement in a specific behavior (sex, gambling, shopping, etc.) despite adverse consequences.

  2. Diminished control over the problematic behavior.

  3. Tension, arousal, pleasure, gratification, regret, guilt associated with the experience of engaging in the behavior.

DSM4 Classification of Specific Impulse Control Disorders:

  • Kleptomania
  • Pyromania
  • Intermittent Explosive Disorder
  • Trichotillomania
  • Pathologic Gambling
  • Impulse Control Disorder N.O.S.



Binge Eating

  Lifestyle Addictions Epidemiology:

Pathologic Gambling 1-5% of the population
Compulsive Shopping 1.8% to 5% of the population
Compulsive Sexual Behavior 3-6% of the population



Impulse Control Impulse Control
Sex Addiction Sex Addiction
Love Addiction Love Addiction
Shopping Addiction Shopping Addiction
Pathologic Gambling Pathologic Gambling
Internet Addiction Internet Addiction
Disordered Eating Disordered Eating
Other Programs Include:
Dating Therapy Dating Therapy
Hollywood N.O.S. Hollywood N.O.S.
Dating Therapy Dating Therapy
Prescription Drug Abuse Prescription Drug Abuse



Copyright © 2010 Dr. Reef Karim. All rights reserved.