Controlling Impulses

I was reading an article recently, and it mentioned something called Trichotillomania. I was super confused by what this long name stood for. Lo and behold, it has to do with Psychology. Trichotillomania is a disorder where people have a compulsive urge to pull out their hair. It can be triggered by stress or depression, and is classified as an impulse control disorder.

What is an impulse control disorder? Well, it's something our book didn't really focus on, perhaps because the DSM 5 is the edition that goes into detail about them. Basically, Impulse control disorders are psychiatric disorders (treated with medication) that are characterized by impulsiveness (of behavior or emotion), and not being able to resist temptations or urges that can be harmful to oneself or others. Not ring a bell? Some things that are classified as Impulse control disorders are Schizophrenia, substance-related disorders, ADHD, antisocial personality disorder, and mood disorders. It also covers a spectrum called Impulse-control disorders not otherwise specified, which includes things like kleptomania and pyromania.

Have you ever heard someone state that they "aren't able to control themselves?" If it's said in earnest, that's the sign of an addiction or an obsession- it's a warning word meaning that there is a real problem. This is the disorder behind all that. This can even explain over-gamblers, compulsive shoppers and eaters, internet and technology addictions, and more. The key here is the  obsessions and compulsions, with a focus on the latter.

Thankfully, most things that fall under this category can be treated to some extent. There are medications that can help. Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants are the most common. Also, Cognitive Behavioral therapy plays a key role in most Impulse control disorders, because they can be somewhat cognitive. The patient must be willing to go along with the therapy. With this kind of disorder, their agreement can be hard to obtain. I think it's interesting that all these disorders have a common element, because they seem unrelated on the surface.

The Lego Movie

 Over Pesach break, I was taken against my will to see the Lego movie (courtesy of my little brother). Even though this is rated one of the best movies ever, or something along the lines of that, I don't get the craze. The plot kind of ties up at the very end, but everything in between is pretty much the weirdest explosion of insanity that I've ever laid eyes on. However, there were some interesting Psychological themes throughout the movie. Here is what stood out to me, scene by scene:

- At the beginning, there are rules for everything, and it's a kind've mob-psychology/Stockholm syndrome/ propoganda/ obedience mix. There are rules for everything and people don't even consider going against them. I guess they got used to them and now enjoy them? They also follow rules just because authoritative people say to do them.There is this Lord Business guy who is the ruler of everyone and controls basically the entire everything. He also convinces everyone to follow him. Every single person sings what appears to be the only song in existence, "Everything is Awesome." It's reminiscent of totalitarianism with a twist that includes a "Taco Tuesday."

ADHD to the max: I don't know who made this, or what state of mind they were in, but much of this movie seems like it was generated from the mind of an 8 year old, hyperactive, Lego-loving boy (like my brother.) It all over the place. The way they brought things together was funny at times, but I left that movie slack-jawed and in shock, with only one question in mind: WHY?!!!

The struggle of being in a group: The main character's whole transformation is from a common nobody to realizing that everyone is special and can stand out in a group. His own ideas were silenced and he was totally under huge pressure to coform- conformity was the lifestyle. Deindividuation was the only possibility until he learned otherwise. So much groupthink...

All in all, it was an interesting experience. I hope you find these insights enlightening and the clips interesting (I think that's the safest description...).