Psychology - Chapter 3: Impulse control disorder

Comings and Blum (2000)

Biochem explanation: Reward deficiency syndrome, assess using brain scans such as PET

Miller (2010)

Cognitive explanation: Feeling-state theory

Grant et al., (2006 and 2008)

Biochem treatment: Opiate antagonist (nalmfene & naltrexone) in double blind RCT for 284 patients with pathologic gambling disorder (1st degree family history of alcoholism)

Glover (1985)

Psychological treatment: Covert sensitization - Treating 56 year old woman with 14 years history of shoplifting. Associated compulsive behavior with nausea by classical conditioning

Blaszczynski & Nower (2005)

Imaginal desensitization: Treating Mary Doe - 52 year old by reducing anxiety and arousal around compulsive behavior through generating situations which elicits urges and leaving the situation, while performing PMR.