Impulzivnost

Impulzivnost, or impulsivity, is the tendency to act on urges with limited forethought or consideration of consequences. It involves rapid, unplanned actions driven by current desires or emotions rather than deliberate reasoning. Impulzivnost can be a normal trait, varying across individuals and situations, but elevated levels are linked with risk-taking and may contribute to distress or impairment in daily life.

Most research treats impulsivnost as a multi-dimensional construct. A common framework distinguishes attentional impulsiveness (difficulty sustaining attention), motor impulsiveness (acting without thinking), and non-planning impulsiveness (lack of future orientation). The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) is a widely used self-report measure, complemented by behavioral tasks such as Go/No-Go and delay-discounting assessments.

Neurobiologically, impulsivnost involves dysfunction in prefrontal control networks, including the dorsolateral and orbitofrontal cortices, and circuits with the ventral striatum and limbic system. Neurotransmitter systems, especially dopamine and serotonin, modulate impulses and reward processing.

Impulzivnost appears across many contexts. It is a feature of ADHD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, substance use disorders, and various impulse-control disorders (for example, pathological gambling, kleptomania). It can also occur as a normal response to stress or novelty.

Treatment and management focus on reducing harmful impulsive behaviors and improving self-regulation. Psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based approaches are effective for many conditions. Pharmacological treatment targets underlying disorders (for example, stimulants for ADHD or mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder) rather than impulsivnost itself; in some cases, medications like SSRIs or antipsychotics may be used as part of a broader plan.