Impulsivity + Money: A Cycle
An impulse is more than just a want because it involves a sudden and intense urge to act, often without considering the potential consequences of that action. Impulses are often driven by intense emotions, such as anger, anxiety, or excitement, and can lead to impulsive behavior inconsistent with an individual's long-term goals or values.
Unlike a simple want or desire, an impulse can be difficult to resist and may feel overwhelming or even out of control. Individuals may feel a sense of urgency to act on the impulse and may experience significant distress or discomfort if they cannot. This can be particularly challenging for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), who may struggle with intense emotions and impulsive behavior. Once a person gives into an impulsive need, it creates a perpetual cycle.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by intense and unstable emotions, impulsivity, unstable relationships, and a distorted self-image. Impulsivity is a core feature of BPD, and research has consistently shown that people with BPD tend to be more impulsive compared to those without the disorder. Outwardly, impulsivity for those with BPD can look like:
Suddenly quitting a job
Overspending
Binge eating
Substance abuse
Emotional outbursts
Risky sexual behavior
Physical harm to oneself, others, or property
Research suggests that addressing impulsive behavior is an essential component of treatment for BPD. Therapies that focus on enhancing emotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal skills effectively reduce impulsivity and improve outcomes for individuals with BPD.
There are various approaches and therapy modalities that can help when it comes to managing an impulsive spending episode. Besides working with a licensed mental health professional & taking prescribed medications, support from a financial coach can go a long way. Here are a few concepts that I work into my coaching plan where applicable:
Mindfulness: By being more mindful, individuals can learn to observe their impulses without immediately acting on them, resulting in better decision-making.
Developing coping skills: Learning how to break problems into smaller pieces and enacting a plan to help solve them, acknowledging and adjusting patterns of thinking, and acceptance are all coping skills that can be learned and utilized for managing impulsive spending
Setting and achieving goals: This can help individuals feel more in control of their lives and improve their self-esteem. For example, individuals can set goals for improving relationships, developing new skills, or engaging in enjoyable activities.
