NCJ Number
110607
Date Published
1986
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This review examines the nature, diagnosis, and treatment of the following five categories of disorders of impulse control: the intermittent explosive disorder, the isolated explosive disorder, pyromania, kleptomania, and pathologic gambling.
Abstract
The atypical impulse control disorder is also described. These disorders differ significantly from one another in many ways. However, they share three characteristics: 1) a failure to resist an impulse, drive, or temptation that gives rise to the act; 2) psychological tension that arises until the act is committed; and 3) some sense of relief or release upon completion of the act or a gratification during or after the act. Little objective data exist regarding how often these disorders are used as the basis for an insanity defense. Treatment for specific intermittent explosive disorder involves drugs and psychotherapy. No specific therapy has been identified for the isolated explosive disorder, because it involves only a single outburst of rage. Pyromaniacs as a group are usually very passive and resistant to treatment. Intensive individual psychotherapy or hospitalization may be appropriate, however. The most appropriate treatment for kleptomania appears to be some form of court-mandated psychiatric treatment. A wide variety of techniques has been used with pathological gamblers, including psychoanalysis, group therapy, and behavior modification. Custer's program consists of inpatient treatment with outpatient followup. This disorder is a chronic and incapacitating psychosocial disorder that requires long-term intervention under court supervision. 60 references.