Men and women who struggle with impulse control are unable to stop themselves from acting on their impulses, even if it means hurting themselves or others. All they can think about is acting on their urges and the relief they will feel once they give in. Fortunately, there are several tips for impulse control that help them resist their impulses before they cause any harm. Impulse disorders treatment offers a supportive environment where clients can focus on controlling their impulses and other symptoms.
At Crestview Recovery, we provide effective treatment for impulse control issues and other mental health disorders for men and women 18 and over. Certified behavioral therapists take the time to build trust and a relationship with each client to create an atmosphere of safe and open communication. Clients will participate in private and group therapy for a well-rounded treatment experience. For more information about our impulse disorders treatment, call 866.262.0531 or fill out our online form for tips for impulse control.
Understanding Impulse Control Issues
Impulse control issues cause unrelenting, all-consuming impulses that are impossible to resist. It can cause some people to steal, set fire to buildings or objects, practice unsafe sex, or have uncontrollable bursts of rage or violence. If left untreated, their condition will worsen over time, no matter what type of disorder they have. Fortunately, there are several effective treatment programs that can reduce the common symptoms of impulse control disorders.
If you suspect a friend or loved one has impulse control issues, here are some of the common symptoms that you can look for:
- Sudden bursts of anger or acts of violence
- Hair pulling
- Risky sexual behavior
- Stealing
- Compulsive lying
- Poor social skills
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Starting fires
At Crestview Recovery, our therapists have experience treating all types of impulse control disorders. We help clients recognize their triggers and develop healthy coping skills to manage their symptoms and ignore their impulses.
5 Tips for Impulse Control
While there is no cure for impulse control disorders, there are effective treatment programs that help clients minimize their symptoms and lead full and productive lives.
Here are five tips for impulse control that can ease your symptoms:
1. Know Your Triggers
Recognizing your triggers is a necessity to stop them from causing disruptive or harmful behavior. During therapy, you will learn how to prepare for your triggers and develop coping skills to manage your symptoms.
2. Practice mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness is the practice of being in the present moment. It uses your sense of touch, taste, smell, and sight to distract from negative thoughts and urges. Meditation is beneficial in learning how to control impulses and prevent them from disrupting your day.
3. Take a deep breath
You will learn quick breathing techniques to calm yourself down during tense moments. Deep breathing helps slow down racing heart rates and enables you to stop your impulses from taking over.
4. Keep a daily journal
Keeping a daily journal is an excellent way to look back at the day and write about any trouble you have with your impulses and your successes. This can help show you how far you are progressing.
5. Be patient
Learning to control your thoughts and impulses takes time and patience. Learn from those times that are difficult and celebrate your successes when they happen.
Crestview Recovery Offers Effective Impulse Disorders Treatment in Portland
At Crestview Recovery, we provide effective therapy for men and women struggling with impulse control. They participate in beneficial therapies that show them how to control impulses and ignore their urges. We offer a full range of therapies through inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth programs that include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Group and individual therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Family therapy
If you or a loved one is struggling with impulse control, call 866.262.0531 today to speak with our friendly staff about enrolling in our impulse disorders treatment program.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
