1. Ottawa University Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141 Andrea H. Marshall
IMPULSE CONTROL
Ottawa University
Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141
Andrea H. Marshall

2. Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141
Agenda
Definition of Impulse Control
Causes
Five Most Common Impulse Disorders
Coping Techniques

3. Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141
Agenda (cont.)
Conclusion
Activity
References

4. Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141
What is Impulse Control?
Impulse control in business
Impulse Control Disorders. (2015). Retrieved July 2015, from Internet Brands Health:
What is Impulse Control?
According to medical-dictionary.com, impulse control is the degree to which a person can control the desire for immediate gratification.
To control your impulse, you must be able to fight the urges and thoughts that come to your mind that may cause you to do something that be harmful to yourself or others.
Why does it need to be controlled in business?
It is important to have control over one’s impulses especially in business because it can affect your success. If you act out, such as cry, curse, or throw things in anger or frustration, it could cause you to be reprimanded or possibly be terminated from your position. It could cause people not to work with you in the future.
People are not naturally given the patience to control impulses. According to impulsecontroldisorders.com (2015), “The ability to resist a desireable action with undesireable consequences can take many years to develop.”

5. Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141
Causes
Lack of self-control
Inability to say no to neurons
Orbitofrontal Cortex
Goleman, D. (1998). Working with emotional intelligence. (1st ed.). New York, NY: Bantam. ISBN:
Lack of self-control
- Within the brain, the amygdala is a part of the limbic system that helps to alert the brain. Impulsive people, however, operate from the prefrontal inhibitory circuitry (Goleman, 1998, p. 77). When someone is impulsive, he or she has a thought to commit an act. The amygdala kicks in to tell them not to commit the act; however, the neurons in the prefrontal lobe does not allow the amygdala to take over. This allows a person to act out of control and do things that may be detrimental to themselves or others.

6. Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141
Most Common Impulse Disorders
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Aggressive outbursts
Kleptomania
Uncontrollable stealing
Franklin, D. J. (2010). Impulse Control Disorders. Retrieved July 2015, from Psychology Information Online:
Most Common Impulse Disorders
Intermittent Explosive Disorder – causes someone to act out against other people or property. This could cause a person to be charged with assault; however the person cannot control their anger. Exploding is the only way to bring the person back to normal. There is not controlling the rage. Some people claim to black out.
Kleptomania – People who steal uncontrollably are referred to as kleptomaniacs. They do not want to steal to sell items to make money or because they need it. These people have the urge to steal anything just to satisfy this impulse.

7. Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141
Most Common Impulse Disorders (cont.)
Pyromania
Uncontrollable fire starter
Pathological Gambling
Compulsive gambling
Franklin, D. J. (2010). Impulse Control Disorders. Retrieved July 2015, from Psychology Information Online:
Pyromania – People suffering with pyromania set fires for pleasure. They generally like watching things burn. According to Franklin (2010), “This is a very rare problem and it is usually episodic, occurring frequently.”
Pathological Gambling – A compulsive gambler has no control trying to win the jackpot. They will use money they do not have or money that they should use for things like rent or for food. Franklin (2010) explains, “They may endanger their job or their family relationships because of this problem, and they will probably lie about the extent of their gambling”.

8. Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141
Most Common Impulse Disorders (cont.)
Trichotillomania
Hair pulling
Skin Excoriation
Sink picking
Franklin, D. J. (2010). Impulse Control Disorders. Retrieved July 2015, from Psychology Information Online:
Ngan, V. (2015, April 3). Compulsive Skin Picking. Retrieved July 2015, from DermNet NZ:
Trichotillomania – disorder where a person pulls out strands of hair from one’s own head to relieve tension. This can cause balding; however, the person is unable to stop.
Skin Excoriation – This disorder causes open sores that bleed and leave sores (Ngan, 2015). Ngan (2015) explains patients suffering from this disease sometimes use “tweezers, blades, and pins”.

9. Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141
Coping Techniques
Psychotherapy
Coaching/Self-Help
Medication

10. Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141
References
Goleman, D. (1998). Working with emotional intelligence. (1st ed.). New York, NY: Bantam. ISDN:
Franklin, D. J. (2010). Impulse Control Disorders. Retrieved July 2015, from Psychology Information Online: sive
Impulse Control Disorders. (2015). Retrieved July 2015, from Internet Brands Health:

11. Emotional Intelligence OAD 30141
References
Ngan, V. (2015, April 3). Compulsive Skin Picking. Retrieved July 2015, from DermNet NZ: