Impulse Control Disorders

by Elias Aboujaoude MD, Lorrin M. Koran MD

Overview

In the last decade, much needed attention and research has been focused on the group of psychiatric conditions termed “impulse control disorders” or ICDs. Pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, kleptomania, hypersexuality, Internet “addiction,” among other disorders, are characterized by a recurrent urge to perform a repetitive behavior that is gratifying in the moment but causes significant long-term distress and disability. Despite the high rate of co-morbidity with obsessive compulsive disorder, ICDs are now clearly distinguished from these disorders with a unique clinical approach for diagnosis and treatment. A wide array of psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic options is now available for treating these disorders. Drs. Elias Aboujaoude and Lorrin M. Koran have compiled the world’s foremost experts in ICD research and treatment to create a comprehensive book on the frequency, evolution, treatment, and related public policy, public health, forensic, and medical issues of these disorders. This is the first book to bring together medical and social knowledge bases related to impulse control disorders.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521898706
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/08/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	324
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Elias Aboujaoude, MD, is Director of the Impulse Disorders Clinic at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.

Lorrin M. Koran, MD, is Professor Emeritus in Psychiatry and Director of the Obsessive Compulsive Clinic at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.

Table of Contents

Contributors ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction 1

Section I Acquisitive Impulses

1 Compulsive Buying: Clinical Aspects Donald W. Black 5

2 Compulsive Buying: Cultural Contributors and Consequences April Lane Benson Helga Dittmar Reeta Wolfsohn 23

3 Kleptomania: Clinical Aspects Lorrin M. Koran Dana Bodnik Pinhas N. Dannon 34

4 Kleptomania and the Law Brad Novak 45

5 Pathological Gambling: Clinical Aspects Jon E. Grant Brian L. Odlaug 51

6 Pathological Gambling: Promoting Risk, Provoking Ruin Laura M. Letson 75

7 Cash and Casinos: An Indian Perspective Eileen M. Luna-Firebaugh 89

Section II Pellicular Impulses

18 Trichotillomania: Clinical Aspects Michael R. Walther Benjamin T. P. Tucker Douglas W. Woods 97

19 Trichotillomania: The View from Dermatology Drew Miller Amy McMichael 111

10 How to Create a National Advocacy Organization Christina S. Pearson 118

11 Skin Picking: Clinical Aspects Celal Çalikusu Özlem Tecer 124

12 Skin Picking: The View from Dermatology Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha Tina S. Alster 138

13 Onychophagia (Nail Biting): Clinical Aspects Timothy Ivor Williams 144

14 Nail Biting and Other Oral Habits: A Dentist's Perspective Sven E. Widmalm Duane C. McKay 157

Section III Information-Seeking Impulses

15 Problematic Internet Use: Clinical Aspects Timothy Liu Marc N. Potenza 167

16 Virtual Violence: The Games People Play Vladan Starcevic Guy Porter 182

17 Counseling in Cyberspace: Your E-Therapist Is on Call John H. Greist 189

Section IV Sexual and Aggressive Impulses

18 Hypersexuality: Clinical Aspects Peer Briken Andreas Hill Wolfgang Berner 197

19 The Sex Industry: Public Vice, Hidden Victims William M. Spice 213

20 Intermittent Explosive Disorder: Clinical Aspects Emil F. Coccaro Michael S. McCloskey 221

21 Violence against Women: Preventing a Social Scourge Joan C. Chrisler Sheila Ferguson 233

22 Intimate Partner Violence: Aggression at Close Quarters Christy M. McKinney Raul Caetano 240

23 Pyromania: Clinical Aspects Candice Germain Michel Lejoyeux 255

24 Arson: Choking off the Flames Paul Schwartzman 269

Appendix I Treatment Guidelines 275

Appendix II List of Scales and Assessment Instruments 280

Index 297

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Steven T Herron, MD (CPI/Assurance Health and Wellness)
Description: Compiled by authors with expertise in the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of impulse control disorders (ICDs), this book addresses various aspects of these conditions from theoretical and practical perspectives.
Purpose: Though penned as a guide for "excellent treatment" of individuals with these diverse disorders, this book also attempts to address "societal aspects" of ICDs, including their social costs, legal implications, and associated public health issues.
Audience: This book is written primarily for clinicians working with individuals experiencing symptoms related to ICDs. However, it also includes information vital for "policymakers, patients and families, and advocacy groups."
Features: Interestingly, the first two sections approach some specific ICDs (i.e. compulsive buying, kleptomania, trichotillomania, skin picking, among others) by devoting two chapters to each topic. The first addresses clinical aspects, and the second highlights societal implications of the disorder. The remaining two sections handle additional ICDs (Internet use, hypersexuality, pyromania, arson, etc.) with one chapter, presumably due to the lack of current or past research on these subjects. There are numerous graphs, tables, and figures, as well as both black-and-white and color photographs. Most notably, appendix II provides useful tools for assessing various ICDs.
Assessment: Though other books cover similar subjects, the unique approach of this book mostly succeeds in its goal to be both clinically and globally useful. Coverage of treatment options is realistic and current, and involves both pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic approaches. As noted in the introduction, these disorders were originally thought to be relatively rare, but additional research and clinical experience suggests they are much more prevalent and troubling, with extensive social consequences. This book is practical, useful, and easy to read. It contributes significantly to the understanding and treatment of these disorders and is a worthy addition to a clinician's library.

Doody's Review Service

'… a valuable guide to the DSM-IV category of impulse-control disorders not elsewhere classified. … What makes this volume so interesting is the attention placed not just on the disorders themselves, but also on the social, cultural, and legal ramifications specific to each … coherent and thorough … This book deserves a place on the bookshelves of psychiatric educators and clinicians working with individuals who have impulse-control disorders.' Journal of Clinical Psychiatry

'… an important contribution to the clinician's library. It is interesting and well researched … This work will be of interest to lay people and sociologists as well as clinicians.' James Allen Wilcox, Annals of Clinical Psychiatry

'Impulse Control Disorders is not only a valuable source of information but also a well-written, interesting guide for researchers, clinicians or anyone who is interested in the personal and societal impact of these disorders beyond the mere symptoms.' Journal of Behavioral Addictions

From the Publisher

Read More