Impulse Control

• Compulsive gambling
• Compulsive shopping
• Hypersexuality
• Hoarding
• Compulsive computer usage

Scientists have known for over a decade that dopamine-related drugs for Parkinson’s could be linked to ICDs. However, it was not until 2004 that people living with Parkinson’s began to learn that ICDs could be a rare side effect of dopamine agonists.

In 2007, researchers at the National Institute for Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS) reported that impulse control behaviors could affect up to 14 percent of Parkinson’s patients on dopamine agonists. Today, we know that one in six people taking dopamine agonists will experience impulse control disorders.

For some people, impulse control disorders may be mild, or just a minor nuisance (for example, increased focus on eating sweets). For others, the impact may be more severe.

People who experience compulsive gambling and compulsive shopping may lose large sums of money, even to the point of bankruptcy. Those who binge eat may experience significant weight gain, causing discomfort and embarrassment and other potential health issues. Some of those who experience compulsive sexual behaviors may begin engaging in unprotected sex or sex outside of an established relationship, placing themselves and others at risk physically and emotionally.

ICDs typically impact not only the person living with PD but loved ones as well.

• Keep a drug diary and record changes in your mood or behavior, as well as physical responses.
• If you find yourself starting to engage in any of the behaviors listed above or doing things that you feel guilty doing, talk to someone about it. A support group member, your doctor or someone from your place of worship are potential resources.
• Let your family know what is happening because the problem affects them too. ICDs could be a significant stressor on a marriage.