Difficulty controlling ones impulses occurs in many disorders; especially Substance Related Disorders, Conduct Disorders and Psychotic Disorders. However the classification of Impulse-Control Disorders is reserved for those disorders in which the defining characteristic is the inability to inhibit an impulse which might be harmful to oneself or others.
There are five distinct Impulse Disorders.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder is evidenced by episodes of acting out aggression and causing bodily harm and/or property destruction.
Kleptomania is evidenced by acting out the impulse to misappropriate objects without the motive of monetary gain.
Pyromania is evidenced by setting fires for hedonistic purposes.
Pathological Gambling is evidenced by habitual, self destructive gambling.
Tricotillomania is evidenced by recurrent hair pulling resulting in significant hair loss with a motivation of self gratification or tension release
