Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the numbered questions. A litt…

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the numbered questions.

A little spontaneity can be a good thing, can’t it? We all act on impulse from time to time, but did you know that impulsivity can be a common symptom of many different mental health conditions? Acting without thinking – for example, buying things on a whim, or blurting something out before you think it through – doesn’t just happen in a moment of ‘weakness’ or carelessness; it can be a symptom all on its own.

“Impulsivity is a surprisingly common symptom. It can often show up as a symptom within broader mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, or even during intense anxiety or trauma responses,” explains UK Council for Psychotherapy accredited therapist Tina Chummun. “It’s not just about making rash decisions; it can be your nervous system responding rapidly without your brain’s slower, logical processing getting a look-in.” Other conditions that can be linked with more impulsive behaviours include those with substance use disorders, people who have experienced a brain injury, or neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, people with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), or impulse control disorders like trichotillomania or kleptomania.

[I]. Those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may act more impulsively, make hasty decisions, or engage in what can be seen as risky behaviour. [II]. Those who are impulsive might face judgement from others, sometimes being described as ‘unstable’, ‘unpredictable’, ‘rash’, or ‘hot-headed’. [III]. This impulsivity can lead to a sense of instability, which can cause people to feel like they aren’t good enough. [IV]. In turn, this can result in struggling with unstable emotions, behaviours, or relationships. You might be less likely to consider the consequences of your behaviours, meaning you may develop unhealthy ways of coping with how you’re feeling.

It’s important to remember that impulsive behaviour alone isn’t a diagnosis, and doesn’t mean that you might be experiencing a mental health condition. But it’s worth keeping in mind that if repeated impulsive behaviour starts to interfere and have a negative impact on your life for an extended period of time, it could be a sign to seek help.

While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, it’s believed that a number of different factors can contribute to impulsivity, including those that are environmental, genetic, and psychological. As well as being a symptom of some mental illnesses, impulsivity can stem from traumatic experiences, particularly during childhood when we develop our self-regulation skills.