Citation

Kienast T, Hein J, Wrase J, Heinz A. MMW Fortschr. Med. 2007; 149(3): 29-32.

Vernacular Title

Impulsives Verhalten, Aggressivitat und Sucht: Umwelt oder Gene--wo liegt die

Affiliation

Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Charité, CCM, Universitätsmedizin Berlin. thorsten.kienast@charite.de

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Urban and Vogel)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17619382

Abstract

A person's impulsive actions are characterized by a lack of sufficient planning or an assessment of possibly harmful consequences. An impulse control disorder can be diagnosed if such actions occur frequently, even in low-stress situations. In psychiatry there are a number of syndromes that are associated with an impulse control disorder. Neurobiological findings point to a reduced turnover of serotonin in the brain of persons with an impulse control disorder and aggressive behaviour. However, a reduced turnover of serotonin is also found in persons who can consume immoderate amounts of alcohol but who experience no such unpleasant effects and thus have a high risk of becoming dependent. The serotonin turnover of an individual is controlled by environmental influences in interaction with genetic factors. In this article, impulse control disorders will be discussed with regard to their origin and social effects.

Language: de