3 Types Of Therapy To Help Control Chronic Impulsive Behavior
Posted on: 31 October 2022
If you have a chronic impulsive behavior problem, then your doctor might prescribe medication to help control your impulsivity. They might also recommend that you have counseling to help you understand your behavior and modify it.
Read on to learn more about the types of counseling you can have for impulsivity disorders.
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Some people with impulsivity disorders find it useful to have cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy helps you look at the reasons why you behave in certain ways; it then helps you find workable strategies to change or control this behavior.
For example, your counselor will help you understand the triggers behind your impulsive behavior. You learn where your mind is at before or during impulsive actions or episodes.
Understanding why you act in a certain way is the first step to behavior modification. If you can spot triggers, moods, or actions that make you act in a certain way, then you can learn how to modify your behavior at these times. Your counselor will help you find the right strategies to do this.
For example, if you act impulsively when you get angry, then your counselor could teach you breathing control techniques. Here, you use a physical form of anger control. Once you learn how to manage your anger in a more positive way, your impulsivity responses are likely to reduce.
2. Group Therapy
Group therapy is also an effective way of dealing with impulsivity problems. While this kind of therapy has counseling benefits, it works on a peer-to-peer model.
Here, you have regular sessions with a small group of people. Typically, they'll all have problems with impulsive behavior. The group will be led by a moderator, such as a therapist or a counselor. However much of the work you do will come from the group.
This therapy helps you learn more about your problems from the experiences of other people in the group. You will also learn useful ways to control your impulsivity based on their experiences.
3. Family Therapy
You might not start your counseling experience with family therapy; however, your counselor might suggest that you try it at some point. Here, you'll have sessions with members of your family who either affect your behavior or who are affected by it.
These familial group sessions can help you talk through your problems with your family in a safe space. Your counselor will be in control. They also give you a chance to learn how your behavior affects people close to you.
This understanding can give you additional incentives. For example, if your children tell you that they are sometimes scared by your impulsive anger episodes, then you have more of an incentive to manage your behavior. You might not have realized the effect it has on them.
For more information, contact chronic impulsive behavior counseling services.
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