Impulse Control Disorders Q&A
9 experts · 23 questions answered
Latest Q&As
Technique to decrease oral fixation
Thanks for your post. I'll do my best to try to answer your question. It sounds like your son may be trying to express himself through his chewing and sucking. Have there been any changes recently in your family? Your son may be trying to find a way to soothe himself or discharge some anxiety he is
Answered by Dr. Lani Chin
Skin picking
An interesting question, because most of the information that would decide the answer is held with you. But what is really on my mind is that the skin picking is probably not the issue that needs tackling. This is a habit you have had for a long time and there are probably some circumstances or pote
Answered by Jill Edwards
Does coffee have any influence on OCD?
Hello there- First of all, everyone is different. Your brother may not experience negative side effects from caffeine at this moment. It is also possible that he has been drinking coffee for quite some time and does not know the difference. That being said, over forty research studies have shown tha
Answered by Katie Brooks
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Hello- It sounds as if you are experiencing some disturbing repetitive checking, which is a component of OCD. According to your description, you do feel like it is excessive, but unless the obsessions and compulsions are lasting more than an hour per day and/ or are causing a serious disruption in y
Answered by Katie Brooks
Nail Biting
Thanks for your post. I will do my best to help you understand how your nail biting and cocaine addiction may be related. First of all, congratulations on staying sober. Choosing to quit using any substance is not an easy decision. Using cocaine and biting your nails are two ways you've been using t
Answered by Dr. Lani Chin
Trichotillomania treatment recommendations
Thank you for your post. Your daughter is lucky to have you on her side. First and foremost, I would recommend individual and family therapy for your daughter. Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder. As such, you daughter is likely having a difficult time with coping. She has found comfort
Answered by Dr. Lani Chin
Hard Habits to Break
It sounds like while you were under the influence you developed some habits that you associate with a sense of nervousness. I'm wondering how often you experience feelings of anxiety while you're clean and sober? Glad you got out of that scene with X and coke but the habits remain. Wearing a retaine
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Skin Picking - Can never control my hands
Kudos to you for having the courage to reach out and ask for help. Dealing only with what's on the surface never seems to work well whether it's literally or figuratively. Popping zits is a release in a sense - you're trying to make something you don't want there go away. You seem to be doing this d
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Stress, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Sleep
A reader describes repeated checking of the house and kids at bedtime plus compulsive counting that has worsened during a stressful period after losing their job, and asks whether this means they have OCD.
Answered by David Shannon
Compulsions and OCD
It sounds like you have some compulsions, however, I'm unsure if they can be classified as a disorder. Do you feel like these behaviors have somehow impacted your day-to-day functioning? It sounds like you're embarrassed when you're around others but are these feelings overwhelming enough to limit t
Answered by Dr. Lani Chin
Habit Reversal Therapy
Habit reversal therapy can certainly be done on your own, but you may see only short term effects. Doing more long term work with a psychotherapist will definitely yield more long term effects. Specifically talking with a therapist about what is motivating your self injury so that you can address th
Answered by Dr. Lani Chin
Children Learning OCD Behavior
It sounds like you're worried about your children who may be picking up habits from your ex- wife. While they may be imitating what your ex-wife is doing in order to cope, you can also teach them other ways to deal with their emotions. Just as they are learning from your ex-wife you can also talk to
Answered by Dr. Lani Chin
Trying to regain control
It sounds like you're attempting to retain control over something you can control. When your house was broken into, you had no control over the situation. Now, to compensate for that it sounds like you are attempting to control something you can. Although you may feel like you are developing OCD, it
Answered by Dr. Lani Chin
Managing Anxiety
It sounds like you're describing something called trichotillomania. This is a way some people have learned to manage their anxiety. What are you feeling when you think about pulling on your hair? When you were younger, you probably realized this was something you could do to help yourself feel bette
Answered by Dr. Lani Chin
Tanning Addictive Like Alcohol or Drugs?
Indoor tanning has received strong attention in the media and research literature as causing more problems than damaged skin from excessive exposure. There is growing evidence that indoor tanning, involving UV radiation, may be addictive like alcohol and drugs. How does this happen? Current research
Answered by John O'Neal
Impulse Control Side Effects
It sounds like you and your husband are going through a really difficult time. I would recommend first and foremost that your husband make a visit to his medical doctor. Although he is ok with these side effects, his doctor needs to know what's going on. It sounds like what he is exhibiting is on th
Answered by Dr. Lani Chin
A Directive Life Coach, Counselor or Therapist
Find a counselor, therapist or life coach that is directive vs. a non-directive psychotherapist. It's important to interview and find one who will track with your thinking and feeling processes around spending and having those things you purchase (Cognitive Behavior approaches are helpful), help you
Answered by Kent Kinzley
Spending Addiction: Shopaholics Can Spend Until They Burn
You have made an important step in your recovery. First, you have identified the problem and the exact pattern of the problem. You know when it is NOT a problem and when it is. For example, you don’t need to plan on how to manage yourself when you are at work. You may need a plan to manage yourself
Answered by John O'Neal
Compulsive Picking: Finding out the benefits
I suggest you look at what benefit you get out of picking, even as you know your hands look like raw hamburger and causes embarrassment. Does it put people off and allow you to maintain distance? Does it give you a sense of safety that people will not want to have any sort of intimate [not only sexu
Answered by Connie Clark
Kleptomania: Stealing which will steal from you
First, I would like to acknowledge you for caring enough about your child and yourself to begin problem identification. This is a major factor in problem-solving. With behaviors which cause embarrassment, shame, or loss of control are often frequented by strong denial. Individuals may rationalize im
Answered by John O'Neal
Compulsive Nail Biting: Onychophagia
Compulsive nail biting is a body focused repetitive behavior that results in the destruction of one's own fingernails and often the skin around the nails and cuticles. Nail-biting is fairly common, but for some it is more than just a bad habit. It can become quite serious, as people who suffer from
Answered by John O'Neal
Is your lifestyle controlling you or are you in control of your lifestyle?
Often when folks lose something of value and have nothing to take it's place, they find they are falling into debt and out-of control habits versus moving out of debt. First make a list of all of your expenses: mortgage/rent, electric, water, gas, garbage collection, cable, internet, phone/s, etc. I
Answered by Connie Clark
Helping a retired gambler
A child helping a mother in need is a very difficult role as it is so hard for a parent to accept help from their kids. Several items to consider. First is to get her to her Family Doctor or General Practitioner to make sure no medical issue is at play given her age. Change is difficult at any age,
Answered by Dr. Karl Benzio