What is Impulse Control?
Why Do I Keep Doing That? How Can I Stop?
What NeuLife Rehab Does to Help
Some of the individuals who become Clients of NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida may have a disorder that affects his or her ability to control impulses. They may find themselves acting on impulses, getting undesirable results, and still, acting on the same impulses in the same way again. Not surprisingly, this often is called “impulse control disorder.” The American Psychiatric Association recognizes it as a disorder characterized by problems in emotional and behavioral self-control.[1]
A behavioral change marked by a deficit in impulse control is ultimately psychiatric, neuropsychiatric or psychological, but can be caused by a traumatic or mild brain injury (TBI or MBI). It is characterized by an individual’s inability to resist temptation or by sudden outbursts. The particular kinds of disorders and actions associated with it include:
- Substance-related disorders
- Antisocial personality disorders
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Conduct disorders
- Mood disorders
- Intermittent explosive disorder
- Kleptomania
- Pyromania
- Sexual compulsion
When the impulsive act or behavior is about to occur, the individual may feel increasing tension or arousal before committing the act. During it, he/she may feel pleasure, gratification or relief. Afterward, he/she may blame himself or herself and feel regret or guilt.[2]
Impulse control is a function of the frontal lobes of the brain, as are emotion and social adjustment. Behavioral changes related to impulse control can manifest themselves because of psychiatric, neuropsychological or psychological disorders resulting from drug abuse or other medical causes. However, they can also arise from catastrophic injuries especially, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a mild brain injury (MBI).
The frontal lobes of the brain link and integrate all components of behavior at the highest level. . Injury to the frontal lobes may cause full or partial paralysis. They are very susceptible to both traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mild brain injury (MBI) because they are situated in the front of the brain. Injury to the frontal lobes may cause speech to become halting, disorganized or to cease except for single explosive words. The individual’s personality may change, and he/she may engage in behaviors that are uncharacteristic and beyond social norms, all of which is the essence of deficient impulse control. The inability to control impulses can quickly transform an individual into a social outcast and thereby, even if physically rehabilitated, rob him or her of independence.
In addition to impulse control, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can cause a variety of physical, neurological, psychiatric and neuropsychological syndromes. Therefore, an independent functional evaluation administered by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals is vital. That evaluation is conducted when an individual becomes a Client of NeuLife Rehab. The multidisciplinary team may consist of:
- Board Certified Neurologist
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Board Certified Physiatrist
- Neuropsychologist
- Psychologist
- Board Certified Psychiatrist
- Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Nurses
- Certified Rehab Counselor
From the results of the independent functional evaluation, the professionals of NeuLife Rehab formulate a Client Goal Plan. The Client Goal Plan guides the clinically relevant services delivered by NeuLife Rehab. Specifically in the case of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or mild brain injury (MBI) the Client Goal Planit guides the cognitive, psychiatric, neurologic, psychological and neuropsychological therapy of the Client. The goal of NeuLife Rehab’s innovative post-acute rehabilitation is the attainment for our Clients of independence to the fullest extent that his or her physical and mental abilities permit.
NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida consistently provides the highest standard of care in the delivery of clinically relevant services to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceed the expectations of all persons served.
NeuLife Rehab consistently provides the highest standard of care in the delivery of clinically relevant services to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceeds the expectations of all persons served. Our philosophy of that healing, wellness, and personal fulfillment are best accomplished in an uplifting, therapeutic environment where caring staff encourage, assist and support each Client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife Rehab believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to increase function and independence.
Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” — the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.
NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Amputations, Burns and other Catastrophic Injuries and Challenging Diagnoses.
2725 Robie Avenue
Mount Dora, Florida 32757
[1] http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/changes%20from%20dsm-iv-tr%20to%20dsm-5.pdf
[2] http://psychcentral.com/lib/what-are-impulse-control-disorders/0001161
