Impulsivity in Borderline Personality Disorder

What is Impulsivity? 

Individuals may be recognised as impulsive if they frequently make poor decisions as a result of reacting to situations. Key traits of impulsive people involve an inability to learn from past mistakes, living a fairly chaotic existence and an unwillingness to delay instant gratification.
Impulsivity in BPD patients is sometimes known as sensation seeking and in order for this symptom to be recognised as part of BPD, it is necessary for sufferers to experience at least two out of five forms of impulsive behaviour. Such behaviours are often regarded as risky and may often be extremely self-destructive for the patient as well as triggering intense rushes of adrenalin as a result.

Impulsivity in Borderline Personality Disorder

Examples of impulsive behaviours identified in those affected by BPD may include the following: binge-eating, excessive spending, substance misuse, extreme sexual behaviours as well as reckless forms of behaviour such as extreme sports activities, shoplifting and in some cases dangerous driving or wrecking property.
In terms of sexual behaviours the sufferer may likely be putting herself in very dangerous situations when seeking frequent encounters with complete strangers. There is also a high risk of becoming infected with sexually transmitted diseases or having an unplanned pregnancy if one is engaging in unprotected sex.

Managing Impulsivity in Borderline Personality Disorder

An important part of learning to manage or reduce a person's level of impulsivity involves gaining increased awareness of impulsive behaviour and the many consequences associated with acting in such a manner. In Borderline Personality Disorder For Dummies, four key strategies are suggested as ways to reduce impulsivity including: putting time on one's side, putting impulses off, doing something different and fire-drilling.

It is also very helpful to have a list that is easily accessible containing healthier alternatives to engaging in self-destructive behaviour. Examples of alternatives may include sport (swimming, running, brisk walk), artistic activities (painting, creative writing, crafts) and relaxation skills such as meditating or deep breathing.
As clearly identified above, there are many healthier alternatives or distractions for the BPD sufferer to engage in rather than repeating self-destructive behaviours. A key part of recovery must involve the individual understanding exactly how consequences of impulsive behaviour negatively impact the individual's life and others.
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