Highlights
- Impulsivity is one of the main symptoms of ADHD. It can affect relationships, work, health, and safety.
- ADHD impulsivity is linked to brain differences that influence executive function and impulse control.
- It’s possible to manage impulsive behaviors and improve your daily life with the help of proper treatment and self-help strategies.
You promise yourself you’ll just scroll for five minutes — then realize you’ve spent $200 on things you don’t need. Or you say something in a meeting that you instantly regret. If you live with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), then these could be signs of impulsivity — a core ADHD symptom.
Impulsivity is one of the most challenging parts of ADHD because it can touch every area of your life. But it can be successfully managed. In this article, we’ll go over exactly how and why impulsivity can affect you if you live with ADHD, and how you can get the support you need.
What Is Impulsivity in ADHD?
Most adults have developed some level of impulse control. For example, you can control yourself from stealing someone else’s food at a restaurant, even if it looks appetizing.
Experiencing impulsivity means that you have a harder time resisting your impulses or urges, especially if they’re strong. You might feel like your body moves before your brain catches up — you act first, then think later. These range from blurting out things to overspending to making poor decisions you regret later.
Why ADHD Causes Impulsivity
Impulsivity is one of the core symptoms of ADHD, especially the hyperactive-impulsive type. It’s caused by the
When this signaling pathway doesn’t work like it’s supposed to (studies suggest it might happen due to ADHD), that “gate” can open too easily. This makes it harder to restrain short-term urges like overspending, overeating, or interrupting.
People with ADHD can also have a harder time with delayed gratification. You might feel something akin to: “I want this now, the delay is unbearable.” If you have ADHD, your brain doesn’t make enough dopamine, so you’re more likely to chase things that give you a temporary dopamine boost — even if those things aren’t healthy for you. ADHD also makes it harder to conceptualize “later,” which makes it more challenging to consider future consequences.
Symptoms & Examples of ADHD Impulsivity
People with ADHD-related impulsivity may speak or act before thinking about the consequences. Impulse control issues can show up in many ways:
Difficulty waiting:
- Blurting things out, like answering before the question has been asked
- Interrupting others during conversations
- Difficulty waiting one’s turn
Emotional impulses:
- Saying things that others may find offensive or embarrassing
- Having emotional outbursts or lashing out in anger
- Jumping into relationships or commitments too quickly
- Ending relationships abruptly during arguments
- Impulsive texting, posting, or quitting jobs on a whim
- Overspending or impulsive shopping
Ignoring health and safety:
- Engaging in reckless behaviors like speeding
- Overeating or binge eating
- Making poor decisions in the moment
Impact on Daily Life
Like the other symptoms of ADHD, impulsivity can have very real, and sometimes devastating, effects on your life. Impulsivity can sometimes be even more damaging than other ADHD symptoms because it can cause you to engage in reckless and dangerous behaviors.
Relationships
- If you have difficulty managing anger or frustration and saying things you regret during heated moments, it can lead to strained relationships and misunderstandings.
- Interrupting or talking over others can make communication challenging, affecting different areas, from friendships to career.
Work and school
- Impulsivity can make you struggle to follow instructions, complete tasks, and manage tasks and priorities properly.
- Quitting or switching jobs impulsively can cause difficulties with career development.
Health and safety
- Impulsive urges can make you engage in risky behaviors like substance use, unsafe sex, reckless driving or spending habits.
- Impulsive habits can influence overall well-being by leading to poor sleep or diet.
Mental health
- After making impulsive decisions or careless mistakes people often feel guilt or shame. If it happens regularly, it can negatively impact mental health.
- Impulsive urges can cause emotional highs and lows while the consequences of these decisions can increase the possibility of anxiety and depression.
When to Seek Evaluation
Not every impulsive moment is a cause for concern. Everyone may act on a whim from time to time, but if it happens frequently and affects your life, it may be beneficial to see a healthcare provider. Be it financial problems because of repeated overspending, relationship issues, or taking risks that could cause harm to yourself or others, impulsivity can cause any of these, but it also can be managed.
You deserve the right support and treatment. You don’t need to wait for impulsivity to cause a crisis in your life to get help.
Whether or not you’re experiencing other symptoms of ADHD on top of impulsivity, your first step is to get a diagnostic evaluation. Licensed medical and mental health professionals can conduct ADHD assessments, including:
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Licensed therapists
- Nurse practitioners
- Physicians
They can evaluate your symptoms and decide whether they best fit the criteria for ADHD or another condition which can also cause impulse control issues. For example, when people with bipolar disorder are in a manic (or hypomanic) episode, they tend to engage in reckless or impulsive behaviors.
That’s why a proper evaluation is so important. Licensed providers can rule out other explanations, confirm a diagnosis, and create a treatment plan tailored to your specific symptoms.
Professional Treatments and Support
ADHD can’t be cured (it’s a form of neurodivergence) — but it can be managed.
Impulsivity is one of the most damaging and dangerous aspects of ADHD, and it can have very real consequences on your life. But ADHD treatment can reduce all of your symptoms, including impulsivity.
Some treatment strategies that can help include:
- Medication: Stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin have been found to be the most effective treatment for ADHD. For those who choose not to or can’t take stimulants, there are non-stimulant options — like Strattera — available. Medication works by directly balancing the chemicals in your brain that are affected by ADHD.
Therapy and Coaching: ADHD coaching and cognitive-behavioral therapy can be helpful for teaching you impulse control skills. These strategies are most effective when combined with medication.
Exercise:
New research[4] shows that physical activity can help you manage ADHD symptoms like impulsivity. Exercising can reduce core ADHD symptoms as well as improve executive functioning skills.Skill Building: You can also learn strategies and skills that may help you build up and practice impulse control. It may be easier to practice these skills if you’re also receiving treatment (like medication and/or therapy).
Impulse Control Skills You Can Start Practicing Today
If you live with ADHD, then getting professional treatment is the best way to reduce impulsivity. But learning new skills can also help. Try these:
- Notice Your Triggers. Certain things may cause you to become more impulsive. For example, spending too much time on your phone could make it easier to shop online. When you’re aware of your triggers, you can take steps to avoid them.
- Mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of staying present with each moment without judging it. Many people with ADHD think they’re inherently “not mindful,” but mindfulness is a skill that can be strengthened just like any other.
- Stop-Think-Act. Any routine that puts a pause between your impulses and your actions can help. Get into the habit of practicing “Stop-Think-Act” — stop what you’re doing, think about the consequences or alternatives, then act on the best choice.
- 24-Hour Rule. The popular 24-hour rule for ADHD encourages you to wait 24 hours before making big decisions. So, for example, if you want to quit your job, wait just 24 hours before actually taking any action.
- Take a Breath. Breathing mindfully can also help you put a small pause between your impulses and your actions. When you get the urge to do something, simply breathe in for 4 counts, and breathe out for 6. This can help you learn how to delay gratification, even for a small moment.
Get Support for ADHD and Impulsive Behaviors
If impulsivity has been affecting your relationships, work, or self-esteem, it might be time to get evaluated for ADHD. MEDvidi’s licensed professionals can provide an online ADHD assessment and create a personalized treatment plan that fits your life. Start your evaluation today and find strategies that work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ADHD impulsiveness look like?
Does ADHD affect impulse control?
Is impulsivity a symptom of ADHD?
What triggers ADHD impulsivity?
Stress, boredom, lack of sleep, and overstimulation can make impulsive urges stronger. But at its core, impulsivity is just caused by how ADHD affects your brain.
Does Adderall help with impulse control?
For many people, yes. Stimulant medications like Adderall improve dopamine regulation, which enhances attention and impulse control. Remember that Adderall is safe to take only when prescribed by a healthcare professional after a detailed assessment and diagnosis.
Does ADHD impulsivity get worse with age?
Not necessarily. Some people develop better coping skills as they get older; but without treatment, impulsivity can continue to impact daily life.
