An impulse control disorder is marked sudden, forceful, irresistible urges to do something that may violate the rights of others or conflict with societal norms. These impulsive behaviors may occur repeatedly, quickly, and without consideration of the consequences of the actions.

Pyromania (intentionally starting fires) and kleptomania (the urge to steal) are well-known types of impulsive disorders. Intermittent explosive disorder, trichotillomania (urge to pull your hair out), conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and unspecified impulse control disorder are a few others.

Genetic: As is the case with the majority of mental health disorders, there appears to be a strong genetic tie to the presence of impulse control disorders. Various studies have shown that children and adolescents who have family members who struggle with illnesses such as mood disorders are more susceptible to developing symptoms of impulse control disorders.

Physical: Research has shown that there is a high probability that when the specific brain structures that are linked to the functioning of emotions, planning, and memory become imbalanced, symptoms of impulse control behaviors can develop.

Environmental: Environmental factors can play a significant role in the onset of behaviors that are symptomatic of impulse control disorders. When children are raised in families where violence, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and explosive emotional reactions to certain situations are prevalent, they may be at a higher risk for developing some type of impulse control disorder. For some children and adolescents, the onset of such behaviors may be a somewhat unconscious means of gaining control over situations in which they would otherwise not have any control and provide them with a sense of escape from the chaos that surrounds them.

Risk Factors:

• Being male

• Being of younger age

• Chronic exposure to violence and aggressive

• Being the subject of physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse and neglect

• Preexisting mental illness

• Family history of mental illness

• Personal or family history of substance abuse and addiction

The signs and symptoms that will present themselves in children and adolescents who are struggling with an impulse control disorder will vary depending on the specific type of impulse control disorder they have, how old they are, the environment in which they are surrounded, and whether they are female or male. The following is a list of different behavioral, physical, cognitive, and psychosocial symptoms that may indicate the presence of an impulse control disorder:

Behavioral symptoms:

• Stealing

• Compulsive lying.

• Starting fires

• Participating in risky sexual behaviors

• Acting out aggressively or violently against people, animals, objects, and/or property

Physical symptoms:

• Presence of injuries or scars from engaging in physical fights or episodes of aggressively acting out

• Burn marks on those who engage in fire-starting behaviors

• Presence of sexually-transmitted diseases as a result from participating in risky sexual behaviors

Cognitive symptoms:

• Obsessive thought patterns

• Compulsive thought patterns

• Inability to control impulses

• Inability to remain patient

Psychosocial symptoms:

• Irritability

• Agitation

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Isolating oneself from friends and family

• Lowered feelings of self-worth

• Random episodes of emotional detachment

The long-term effects that can result when the symptoms of impulse control disorders go untreated can be extremely detrimental and have long-lasting negative impacts on the child or adolescent’s life. Examples of such effects may include:

• Decline in academic performance

• Suspension or expulsion from school

• Experiencing extreme difficulty in developing and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships

• Participating in self-harming behaviors

• Legal interaction, including possible incarceration

• Consistently decreasing feelings of self-worth

People with this type of impulse control disorder deliberately start fires without regard to the destruction or injury their actions may cause. It is common for many convicted arsonists with evident pyromania to also have personality disorders such as antisocial and borderline personality disorders.

Research on treatments is somewhat limited because this condition is rare. That said, several case studies have found that various medications appear to help resolve this urge. Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques also offer some promise of effectiveness.

Kleptomania is the constant and irresistible urge to steal. People who have this impulse control disorder often steal items that have little personal or monetary value.​

Kleptomania can have subtypes that are more like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and others more similar to addictive and mood disorders. It is common for people with kleptomania (and their first-degree relatives) to also have psychiatric diagnoses or addiction issues.

Effective treatment options for kleptomania may vary depending on the subtype. Cognitive behavior therapy and medication have been shown to be effective, while mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and opioid antagonist medications have also shown promise in certain circumstances.

Intermittent explosive disorder is diagnosed when a person has, on multiple occasions, acted on aggressive impulses and committed seriously aggressive acts, such as assault or destruction of property. One way it is identified is by the severity of the person's aggressive behavior (it is well out of proportion to the trigger that preceded it). 

Individuals with intermittent explosive disorder may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy to learn relaxation and coping skills. Additionally, depending on symptoms and age, the person may also be prescribed medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood regulators.

Studies have found a link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and intermittent explosive disorder 

Tricho is Greek for "hair," tillo means "pull," and mania is an excessive behavior or activity. Thus, trichotillomania involves a compulsive urge to pull out your own hair. This impulsive behavior is more common in children and teens. When it does appear in adults, women have it nine times as often as men.

Behavioral therapy with habit-reversal training components appears to be the most effective treatment for trichotillomania, but some medications have provided positive results as well

Conduct disorder involves patterns of behavior that can include being aggressive to people and animals, destroying property, theft or other deceitful actions, and serious rule violations. This disorder can appear in young children (even those in pre-school) and isn't diagnosed beyond 18 years of age.

Conduct disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often go hand-in-hand. Having this impulse control disorder in childhood commonly precedes the development of antisocial personality disorder in adulthood.

Conduct disorder treatment typically involves engaging in therapy with the child's parents or the entire family, Medications such as stimulants and antipsychotics may also be prescribed, especially if this disorder co-occurs with ADHD

Like with conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder is diagnosed in childhood and adolescence. Its symptoms include irritable mood, being argumentative or defiant, and engaging in vindictive behaviors.

Effective treatment of this impulse control disorder often involves some type of psychotherapy. If another disorder exists, or if severe aggression is exhibited, medications may be used as well.