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Obsessive-compulsive and impulsiveness may look similar, but they are very different brain mechanisms associated with certain mental health conditions.
You can manage compulsive and impulsive behaviors to reduce unnecessary consequences and improve your well-being. But first, you have to understand the main differences between the two.
Compulsive behavior
Compulsive behavior is conscious or unconscious behavior that is often repeated to reduce emotional or physical discomfort or, in other words, to relieve impulsivity or pain.
Impulsive behavior
Impulsive behavior is an unconsidered spontaneous behavior, especially in terms of potential consequences.
"In the right situation, everyone is prone to act impulsively, but not everyone will repeat the behavior or thought in order to make themselves feel better," said Professor Rong Xinqi, an expert in new concept psychology.
The cause of the occurrence
There are many reasons for impulsive and compulsive behavior.
While many people have a natural tendency to act in impulsive and compulsive ways, these behaviors can also be symptoms of mental health conditions.
Professor Rong said these mental health conditions are related to obsessive-compulsive behaviors: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), physical deformity disorder (BDD), hoarding disorder, trichotillomania (or plucking), substance or drug-induced obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders due to another disease, other specific and unspecified obsessive-compulsive disorders and related disorders, etc.
Professor Rong also added that many mental illnesses can lead to impulsive behavior, such as: Tourette syndrome, OppositionAloid Defiance Disorder (ODD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism (ASD), Tic Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), Conduct Disorder, Arsonism, Theft Fetish, Other Specific and Unspecified Destructiveness, Impulse Control and Conduct Disorder, etc.
Other mental health conditions that can lead to impulsive or compulsive behavior may include: anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder (i.e., bipolar disorder), borderline personality disorder (BPD), impulse control disorder, eating disorders (such as bulimia), etc.
In addition, some addictions may start with impulsivity and eventually become compulsive. According to a 2020 study, compulsive behavior is a key symptom of severe substance use disorder (SUD).
Examples of compulsive behavior
Examples of compulsive thoughts and behaviors might include: washing hands frequently, opening and closing doors, repeating phrases aloud or mentally, counting and recalculating things (i.e., money, exits, exits), repeating comments you made during a conversation after the conversation ended, turning off and turning on the light switch, compulsive prayers, rotating your hair frequently, breaking your knuckles, etc.
A 2020 study suggests that gambling may also be associated with compulsive behavior. The results of this particular study suggest a stronger association between young people with gambling preferences and compulsive behavior.
Examples of impulsive behavior
Examples of impulsive behavior may include interrupting someone in a conversation, leaving the house without all necessary items (i.e., phone, wallet, keys), hugging or touching someone without their consent, blurting out regardless of the occasion, eating too many snacks outside a meal, and buying unnecessary items online.
In addition, a 2018 study suggested that impulsivity may play an important role in people with hypersexual tendencies.
Coping strategies
It's possible to manage your obsessive-compulsive or impulsive tendencies, and here are some ways to cope with the symptoms:
1. Psychotherapy
"Through psychotherapy, not only can patients understand causality (which is very therapeutic), but it can also provide patients with alternative personalized coping strategies to manage compulsive or impulsive thoughts and behaviors." Therefore, psychotherapy can definitely help address compulsive and impulsive behaviors," Professor Rong said.
2. Medication
Taking the right medications can help you manage and treat impulsive or compulsive behavior. Most of the drugs used to treat these behaviors tend to be the same as those used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Medications have been shown to be very effective in reducing impulsive behavior in individuals with neurological disorders such as ADHD, and some medications have also helped treat obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors.
However, some experts believe that compulsive behavior is more difficult to treat than impulsive behavior. This is because compulsive behavior is often premeditated and preconceived, and the individual has a "sense of satisfaction" that is immediately relieved from the behavior, and learning new coping skills takes time.
3. Ask for help and support
Actively seeking help and support from the outside world and others can help you cope with and manage your own compulsive and impulsive tendencies.
Professor Rong suggests that as you learn and practice new coping strategies, you can seek help, guidance and support from your family, friends or counsellors.
When you have outside help and support, you're more likely to stick to the end.
Obsessive-compulsive and impulsive behaviors are common symptoms of many mental health conditions.
The main difference between these two behaviors is that compulsions are more pre-planned, while impulsiveness is more spontaneous.