Impulse Control Disorders

Facts:

  • 14% of people with Parkinson’s Disease treated with drugs that mimic dopamine, such as Mirapex and Requip, develop Impulse Control Disorders (ICD).
  • Risk taking behaviors associated with ICD can be harmful to the person and those around them.

Symptoms:

  • Excessive gambling
  • Uncontrolled spending
  • Binge-eating
  • Hypersexuality
  • Punding- repetitively performing tasks and activities that offer no value

Treatments:

  • Notify the provider if symptoms of obsessive behaviors become present.
  • The medication causing ICD may need to be reduced or discontinued.
  • Other medications may be prescribed to treat ICD.
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