Compulsive Vs. Impulsive behaviors are characterized by the inability to resist urges or impulses, but their underlying motivations and consequences differ. Despite their apparent similarities, impulsivity and compulsivity are relatively separate brain processes linked to several mental health issues.
To deal with the complexity of human psychology, one must understand the difference between impulsive and compulsive action. This site strives to bring clarity, whether you’re wondering about your conduct or trying to understand what people around you are doing.
RELATED: Conscience vs. Conscious: Demystifying the Difference
Table of Contents
Compulsive Vs. Impulsive behaviour
Compulsive behaviour
Repetitive behaviors that ease worry or distress are known as compulsive behaviors. Obsessions or intrusive thoughts are frequently the cause. The repetitive and time-consuming nature of compulsive behaviors can disrupt day-to-day functioning. There are two types of obsessive behaviors: conscious and unconscious.
To alleviate physical or mental discomfort or to lessen a desire or suffering, compulsive behaviors are typically repeated.
Examples of impulsive behaviors:
- Buying something on a whim
- Taking a risk without thinking
- Driving recklessly
- Saying something without thinking
- Engaging in substance abuse
RELATED: Understanding Codependency vs. Interdependency
Impulsive Behavior
Impulsive behaviors are unplanned acts that are performed without thinking through the repercussions. It is frequently motivated by the need for excitement or rapid gratification. Impulsive behaviors can range from harmless—like making a last-minute purchase—to dangerous—like abusing drugs or driving carelessly.
Examples of compulsive behaviors
- Checking doors and locks repeatedly
- Washing hands excessively
- Counting things repeatedly
- Arranging objects in a specific order
- Engaging in rituals or routines
- compulsive shopping
- compulsive buying
RELATED: Understanding and Overcoming Traumatic Invalidation
Causes of Compulsive vs. Impulsive Behavior
Compulsive and impulsive behaviors have a variety of complicated biological, psychological, and social underlying causes.
1. Biological factors
Genetics: Research suggests a possible genetic foundation for obsessive and impulsive behaviors.
The prefrontal cortex, responsible for planning, decision-making, and impulse control, has been linked to compulsive and impulsive behavior anomalies.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in motivation and reward that influences both obsessive and impulsive behaviors.
2. Psychological factors
Personality Features: Impulsivity is more common in those who have inclinations such as sensation- and novelty-seeking. Among compulsive users, anxiety and perfectionism are two psychological traits that are more common.
Anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD, addiction, and other mental health illnesses can all cause compulsive and impulsive behavior.
Trauma: Compulsive vs impulsive behavior may become more prevalent if a person has experienced traumatic events, such as abuse or neglect.
RELATED: Is It Anxiety Or Intuition?
3. Social factors
Environment: Unruly or stressful situations may exacerbate compulsive versus impulsive behaviors.
Observing others, such as parents or classmates, can educate people to behave impulsively or compulsively.
Cultural norms: The definition of compulsive or impulsive behavior varies by culture.
RELATED: Becoming Socially Adept in Today’s World
4. Risk factors
Age: Impulsive reactions and a lack of impulse control are more common in younger individuals.
Compared to women, men are more likely to engage in compulsive versus impulsive actions.
Substance abuse: Abuse of substances may increase the likelihood of obsessive and impulsive behaviors.
A history of mental health difficulties is associated with an increased risk of compulsive vs impulsive actions.
It is important to keep in mind that not everyone who exhibits impulsive or compulsive behaviors has a coexisting medical condition. For many people, these behaviors are normal and may not be a serious threat to their day-to-day existence. When impulsive or compulsive behaviors cause substantial discomfort or negatively impact one’s quality of life, it is imperative to seek professional help.
RELATED: What Happens When You Stop Listening to Negativity inside and outside
Compulsive vs. Impulsive Behavior Impacts
Long-term detrimental effects on people and society can result from impulsive and obsessive behaviors.
Among the financial issues that might result from impulsive behavior are debt, bankruptcy, and unstable economies.
Legal issues: Snap decisions can result in jail time, convictions, and arrests.
Relationship issues: Impulsive Reactions can harm friendships, family ties, and intimate relationships.
Health issues: Impulsive actions that result in accidents, injuries, and long-term health issues include reckless driving and drug usage.
RELATED: Healing the Wounded Feminine
Compulsive behaviors can lead to:
- Time consumption: Compulsive rituals and routines can consume much time, interfering with work, personal relationships, and leisure activities.
- Reduced productivity: Compulsive behaviors can make it difficult to focus and concentrate, leading to decreased productivity at work and in school.
- Social isolation: Compulsive behaviors can make it challenging to maintain relationships with others, leading to social isolation and loneliness.
- Exacerbated anxiety: Compulsive behaviors are often an attempt to reduce stress, but they can worsen anxiety in the long run.
RELATED: 15 Common Cognitive Distortions- How Do Our Thoughts Influence Your Mental Health
Mental health conditions due to Compulsive vs. Impulsive
Impulsive and compulsive behaviors can be symptoms of several mental health conditions. Some of the most common conditions associated with these behaviors include:
Impulsive disorders
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
Compulsive disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Intermittent explosive disorder (IED)
- Impulse control disorders not otherwise specified (ICD)
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
RELATED: Pent-Up Aggression: Causes, Effects, And 16 Healthy Ways To Manage It
Coping strategies for compulsive or impulsive
Although impulsive or compulsive behaviors might be difficult to manage, there are a few tactics that can be useful. Here’s some advice:
Find out what triggers you. Which thoughts or circumstances are most likely to cause impulsive or compulsive behaviors? Knowing your triggers will help you create healthy coping mechanisms or avoidance tactics.
Develop constructive coping strategies. Try to discover a healthy approach to dealing with your emotions when you feel the need to become impulsive or compulsive. Exercise, relaxation methods, or speaking with a friend or therapist are a few examples of this.
Engage in mindfulness exercises. The discipline of paying attention to the present moment without passing judgment is known as mindfulness. This can help you better control compulsive vs impulsive activities by increasing your awareness of your sensations and ideas.
Â
Get expert assistance. If you are having trouble controlling your impulsion or compulsion on your own, you should get expert assistance. You can work with a therapist to pinpoint the underlying causes of your behaviors and create a customized treatment plan or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Some Resources that can help
- The National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/additional-resources
- The American Psychological Association: https://dictionary.apa.org/concurrent-schedules-of-reinforcement
- The International OCD Foundation: https://iocdf.org/
A word from Inner Mastery Hub
Compulsive vs. Impulsive behaviors are frequent signs of a variety of mental health issues.
The primary distinction between the two behaviors is that impulsivity is more impulsive and unplanned, and compulsivity is more planned. Talk to a therapist if the psychiatric disorder worsens.
