Having Trouble Controlling Your Impulses?
A spate of violent crimes including assault, shooting sprees, and serial arson has been witnessed in recent times. The National Police Agency statistics shows that 152,249 out of 366,527 assaulters arrested last year committed a crime accidentally. Simply put, 4 out of every 10 offenders went astray because they failed to control their anger or impulses. Impulse Control Disorder (ICD) has become a major social phenomenon and more and more people now want to see a doctor to keep their urges under control. The number of ICD patients sky-rocketed by 32.6 percent up to 4,934 from 3,720 between 2009 and 2013.
What is Impulse Control Disorder (IDC)?
IDC is a psychiatric disorder characterized by sudden rage or anger which leads to violent behaviour. Types of IDC include intermittent explosive disorder, pyromania, and kleptomania. Most of the patients are not aware of their disorder, and excessive doubt, aggressiveness, and impulsivity prevent them from building a healthy relationship with others while increasing the likelihood of criminal behaviour.
Behaviour that shows Symptoms of Possible ICD : A List for Self-diagnosis
A Self-diagnosis checklist
- I lose my temper quickly and become upset and angry easily.
- I often get mad when things go beyond my control in online games or cyber space.
- I have trouble in controlling my rage and do not know how to manage it.
- I must be complimented for my good work. Otherwise, I become furious.
- I cannot overlook others’ wrongdoings and it causes interpersonal problems.
- I abuse others verbally and physically when upset.
- I burst into tears because of excessive rage.
- I blame others for what went wrong.
- I throw thing around me when I am angry.
- I often feel looked down upon and treated unfairly.
- I spoil work because I cannot manage my anger.
- I easily become frustrated and give up when things fo wrong instead of finding a solution.
- 4 ~ 8 : Slightly uncontrollable impulse
- 9 ~ 12 : Uncontrollable impulse that requires psychiatric counselling
* Please consult a psychiatry specialist for a more detailed and precise diagnosis.
How to Overcome IDC
If the self-diagnosis score is between 4 and 8, an effort to control feelings should be made such as crying out loud or writing a letter or a diary. Crying excretes catecholamine, which is a hormone that is secreted when you are stressed out in the form of tears and helps to create a sense of relief. On the other hand, writing about one’s anger can help people to recognize their objective mental status and thereby gain greater control of their feelings.
How to Prevent IDC
ICD prevention can start from childhood both at school and in the home by providing enhanced personality development education on how to mediate or control one’s anger. Children need to learn how to keep their anger under control and appropriate discipline must be given by parents when their children do something wrong. Continuous training and education for impulse management are critical for the prevention of ICD.
ICD has become a main cause of crimes today. Everyone needs to work hard individually to manage their anger and if necessary consult psychiatrists instead of thinking that it is shameful or disgraceful to receive psychotherapy. Also, taking childhood personality education into consideration is a key enabler for better anger management and a sense of feeling in control; this means that parents should do their absolute best to improve their child's personal development.