Every teen acts impulsively now and then, just as many adults do. But when impulsive behaviors are chronic, they can lead to dire consequences. Understanding what impulsive behaviors are and recognizing the signs of an impulse control disorder (ICD) can help you know if your child could benefit from professional treatment.

At Family First Adolescent Services, we offer treatment for teens 13–18 who need support for their mental health and well-being. We understand how challenging impulse control issues can be for your teen and your family, but we have the experience and resources to help them manage ICD more effectively. To learn more about our adolescent impulse control disorder treatment options, give us a call today at 888.904.5947.

What Is Adolescent Impulse Control Disorder?

Adolescent impulse control disorder is a condition in which a young person has difficulty controlling their actions. ICD typically begins in childhood, and the symptoms can persevere into adulthood. There are different types of impulse control disorders, including:

• Conduct disorder – Children with this condition exhibit aggressive behavior toward others.
• Intermittent explosive disorder – This presents as excessive rage toward minor issues.
• Kleptomania – This involves a strong impulse to steal.
• Pyromania – This refers to a compulsion to set fires.
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) – Children with ODD tend toward defiance or hostility when encountering rules or requests from others.

Impulse control issues are also common among teens with ADHD or autism. Just because your teen struggles with impulse control does not mean they have an ICD. Personalized treatment can help them recognize the emotions that fuel impulsive behaviors so they can learn to take a step back to think before acting.

Impulsive Behavior Examples

Some impulsive behaviors are fairly obvious, such as with kleptomania or pyromania where a person has a strong urge to steal or ignite fires. But other impulsive behaviors caused by impulse control disorder may be a bit less apparent unless you know what to look for. The following are some examples of impulsive behaviors your teen may engage in if they have ICD:

• Constant fidgeting and difficulty sitting still
• Angry outbursts over little things
• Reckless driving
• Frequent arguing and fighting
• Disobeying rules or laws
• Destruction of property
• Substance misuse
• Binge eating

There are many other impulsive behaviors that teens can engage in. Generally, you want to be aware of whether your child acts quickly or spontaneously without considering the consequences of their actions.

Teaching Teens How to Control Impulsive Behavior

Once you suspect your child may have impulse control issues, your first question may be how to help them slow down and manage their impulses. The good news is there are plenty of things you can do to help your teen reduce impulsive behaviors, such as:

Establish Routines and Structure

Despite some misconceptions, routines and structure can be comforting. They provide a sense of stability and predictability, which can help minimize impulsive behaviors.

Expose Them to Mindfulness and Meditation Practices

Mindfulness and meditation are valuable life skills that aren’t usually taught in schools. However, you can introduce your teen to these practices through online videos or in-person sessions. By learning to be more aware of their thoughts and emotions, they can respond more thoughtfully rather than impulsively.

Provide Positive Reinforcement and Consequences

Acknowledging and rewarding instances of self-control can reinforce the positive behaviors you wish to see in your child. On that same note, you should also implement clear and reasonable consequences for impulsive behaviors.

Of course, the above suggestions will be more effective if your child is on board with learning how to control impulsive behavior. This may not always be the case, but with the help of professionals, your child can make progress.

Call Family First Adolescent Services for Help

Impulse control issues can be especially difficult on teens and their families. But with the help and guidance of Family First Adolescent Services, your teen can learn how to regulate their emotions and manage impulses so they no longer interfere with his daily life. Contact us online or at 888.904.5947 with questions or to enroll your teen in treatment today.