Impulse Control Disorder

An impulse control disorder or ICD is a class of psychiatric disorders characterized by impulsivity – failure to resist a temptation, urge or impulse that may harm oneself or others. Many psychiatric disorders feature impulsivity, including substance-related disorders, paraphilias, antisocial personality disorder, conduct disorder, schizophrenia and mood disorders. The revised fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV-TR) includes the category, "impulse control disorders not elsewhere classified", which consists of kleptomania, pathological gambling, pyromania (fire-starting), trichotillomania (a compulsion to pull one's hair out), intermittent explosive disorder, and "impulse control disorders not otherwise specified". Other disorders such as, dermatillomania (compulsive skin picking), compulsive buying and compulsive non-paraphilic sexual behaviour have been proposed for inclusion in the category.

Five behavioural stages characterize impulsivity: an impulse, growing tension, pleasure from acting, relief from the urge and finally guilt (which may or may not arise).